The introduction of information and communications
technologies (ICT) into the electoral process is generating both interest and
concern among voters, as well as practitioners, across the globe. Today, most
electoral management bodies (EMBs) around the world use new technologies with
the aim of improving the electoral process. These technologies range from the
use of basic office automation tools such as word processing and spreadsheets to
more sophisticated data processing tools, such as database management systems,
optical scanning and geographic information systems. One especially important application of technology to elections is e-voting, the use of electronic technology in casting or counting votes. E-voting has many uses, including increasing participation among voters abroad and making elections more inclusive for voters with disabilities. Some countries, especially in Europe, began piloting e-voting in some form over a decade ago.
While these technologies open up new frontiers and offer new
possibilities for the electoral process, especially for voting operations,
there may be unforeseen risks involved, such as an increase in vote selling or
difficulty in auditing election results. Careful consideration also needs to be
given to the risks of inappropriate or untimely introduction of technology,
especially if it has the potential to compromise transparency, local ownership
or sustainability of the electoral process. Cybersecurity in elections has and will continue to receive attention from the public, governments and media. Although technological improvements to the administration of elections can be substantial, these gains must be balanced with the potential for new vulnerabilities and problems. Many of the countries that experimented with e-voting, for example, are now returning to pen and paper or scrapping their pilot projects because of security issues. When abandoning technologies is infeasible, good preparation can help mitigate similar cybersecurity risks.
In recognition of the importance of cybersecurity in elections, ACE has a separate Encyclopaedia entry on the topic, based on a white paper produced by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, an ACE partner. To go to the Cybersecurity in Elections entry, click here.
