Remote internet voting, or e-voting,
allows voters to cast their vote anywhere, at any time, provided they have
access to an internet-connected computer. It could make participation in
electoral processes easier, more accessible and less time consuming,
potentially leading to an increase in voter turnout. For young people studying
away from home, voting via internet allows them to participate without
traveling on election day.
Internet voting also has the
potential to increase the participation
of young women, ethnic minorities and persons with disabilities in societies
where these people face restrictions to their engagement in public
life.
However, there are many compelling reasons why e-voting has not become
popular; and why cybersecurity
experts and electoral experts caution against e-voting. There are three main
reasons for the caution: issues with the technology, vast possibilities of fraud, and concerns
about protection of voters and their votes.
There are other considerations for
EMBs in assessing whether internet voting can be implemented successfully in
their context: the take-up of digital services by the population and extent to
which citizens have computers and internet access, and the level of confidence
in EMBs to deliver a robust e-voting solution, without which the exercise could
further alienate voters.
See Internet Voting (in ACE
Elections and Technology Topic Area)
Example: In 2007, Estonia became the first
country to introduce legally binding internet voting. Over 30 per cent of
voters now vote online, although voting stations are still available. The peak
online voting age group is 35 to 45 years, with a smaller uptake by young
voters. Research has shown that online voting is not the most popular option
among the youngest group of voters, those aged 18 to 25 years.[i] Estonia is highly digitally enabled, with many government services
available through online portals. Nevertheless, some cybersecurity experts
believe Estonia’s e-voting system is open to abuse.[ii]
