Gandhi Institute For Technology (GIFT) Autonomous, Bhubaneswar

Partially Fulfilled Subject Specific Project

Subject - Programming using Data Structure

Online Voting System Using Data Structure

Guided by :
Mr. Allupati Chakradhar Patro.

Developed By :
Abinash Das
(2301298295, Roll No. - 05, CSE)
Prajyoti Padhi
(2301298452, Roll No. - 47, CSE)

Anand House – 2nd Semester

Introduction:

The Online Voting System Using Data Structures in C is a project aimed at developing a simple yet
functional platform for conducting online voting. This system leverages fundamental data structures and
algorithms to manage candidates, voters, and the voting process. The project begins with the initialization
of candidates and voters, allowing users to view the list of candidates, cast their votes, and display the
voting results. Each candidate is represented by a unique ID, name, and the number of votes received.
Similarly, voters are identified by their ID and name, with flags indicating whether they have voted and
the candidate they voted for. The system is designed to be user-friendly, featuring a menu-driven interface
that guides users through the voting process. Users can view the list of candidates, vote for their preferred
candidate, and view the real-time voting results. The implementation utilizes core concepts of C
programming language, including arrays, structures, loops, and functions. It provides a foundation for
more advanced features such as candidate registration, voter authentication, and result analysis, which can
be incorporated in future iterations of the project.

Abstract:

Inputs required:
Creating an online voting system using C requires careful consideration of data structures, algorithms, and
system design principles. Here are some key concepts and data structures we have used:

1) Data Structures:

 Linked Lists: Linked lists can be used to manage lists of candidates, voters, and their information.
 Arrays: Arrays can be used for storing voting data, such as candidate votes or voter IDs.
 Hash Tables: Hash tables can be used for fast retrieval of candidate information or for ensuring
unique voter IDs.
 Graphs: If you need to represent relationships between candidates, voters, or voting districts,
graphs can be useful.

2) Algorithms:

Sorting Algorithms: If you need to sort lists of candidates or voting data, sorting algorithms like quick
sort or merge sort can be helpful. Searching Algorithms: Algorithms like binary search can be useful
for searching through sorted lists of candidates or voters. Hashing Algorithms: If you're using hash
tables, you'll need to implement or use hashing algorithms like MD5 or SHA-256 for hashing voter
IDs or candidate names.

3) System Design Considerations:

  Client-Server Architecture: You may need to design the system as a client-server architecture
where clients (voters) interact with a central server to cast their votes.
 Security: Implement measures to ensure the security and integrity of the voting process, such as
encryption, authentication, and authorization mechanisms.
 Concurrency: Implement concurrency control mechanisms to handle simultaneous access to
shared data structures and prevent race conditions.
 Error Handling: Implement robust error handling mechanisms to handle unexpected situations
and ensure the stability of the system.
 Data Persistence: Implement mechanisms for persisting voting data to disk to ensure data
integrity and recoverability in case of system failures.
 User Interface: Design a user-friendly interface for both voters and administrators to interact with
the system effectively.

4) Functional Requirements:

 Voter Registration: Implement a mechanism for voters to register and obtain unique voter IDs.
 Voting Process: Design the process through which voters can cast their votes securely and
efficiently.
 Vote Counting: Implement mechanisms for tallying and counting votes accurately while ensuring
anonymity and integrity.
 Result Presentation: Design a mechanism for presenting voting results to administrators and the
public in a clear and understandable format.

5) Non-functional Requirements:

 Scalability: Ensure that the system can handle a large number of voters and candidates without
significant performance degradation.
 Availability: Ensure that the system remains available and responsive even during peak voting
periods or in the face of hardware or network failures.
 Maintainability: Design the system in a modular and maintainable manner to facilitate future
 Enhancements and bug fixes.
 Performance: Optimize the performance of critical system components to minimize latency and
ensure a smooth voting experience for users.

Output of the project:

The output of Online Voting System project would depend on the specific functionalities and features you
implement. Here are some possible components of the output:

 User Interface Output: This could be text-based or graphical, depending on how it is designed. The
user interface should provide options for voters to log in, view candidate lists, cast their votes, and
view election results.
 Authentication Output: If you implement user authentication, the output would include prompts for
users to enter their credentials (such as username and password or OTP) and messages indicating
whether the authentication was successful or not.
  Voting Process Output: During the voting process, the output would include prompts for voters to
select their preferred candidates and messages confirming that their votes have been successfully
cast.
 Error Handling Output: If errors occur during the voting process, the output would include error
messages indicating the nature of the error and possible steps for the user to resolve it.
 Vote Counting Output: After the voting period ends, the output would include the results of the
election, including the number of votes each candidate received and the winners of the election.
 File Handling Output: If you implement file handling to store voter information, candidate lists, and
voting results, the output would include messages indicating the success or failure of file operations
such as reading from or writing to files.
 Final Summary Output: At the end of the election process, the output could include a summary of the
election results, including the total number of votes cast, voter turnout, and any other relevant
statistics.

Bill of Materials:

Creating an Online Voting System using Data Structures in C language doesn't require many physical
materials, as it's primarily a software project. However, we may need certain resources and tools.
Here's a list:

1. Computer: we'll need a computer to write, compile, and test the C code. Any modern computer
capable of running a C compiler should suffice.
2. Development Environment: Choose a development environment or code editor for writing your C
code. Some popular options include: Visual Studio Code, Dev-C++
3. Reference Materials: Books, online tutorials, and documentation related to C programming, data
structures, and algorithms can be helpful resources as you work on your project.
4. Time and Dedication: Perhaps the most critical "material" is your time and dedication to the
project. Building a robust Online Voting System will require careful planning, coding, testing,
and debugging.

Methodology:

Creating an Online Voting System using Data Structures in C requires a systematic approach and
methodology. Here's a general procedure you can follow:

1. Requirement Analysis: Clearly define the requirements of your Online Voting System. Consider
functional requirements (what the system should do) and non-functional requirements
(performance, security, etc.).
2. Research and Design: Research existing online voting systems and understand their architecture
and features. Design the overall architecture of your system, including the user interface, data
structures, authentication mechanisms, and voting process.
3. Choose Data Structures: Based on the requirements and design, select appropriate data structures
to represent voters, candidates, votes, and other relevant entities. Consider efficiency and
scalability.
 4. Implementation: Start implementing the system according to your design. Break down the
implementation into smaller modules or components.
5. Implement data structures, user authentication, voting process logic, error handling, and file
handling functionalities.
6. Testing: Test each component of your system thoroughly to ensure that it works as expected. Test
for correctness, robustness, and security. Conduct unit tests, integration tests, and system tests to
identify and fix any bugs or issues.
7. User Interface Development: Develop the user interface for your system. Design a user-friendly
interface that allows voters to log in, view candidates, cast their votes, and view election results.
8. Security Measures: Implement security measures to prevent unauthorized access, tampering with
votes, and other security threats. Use encryption, hashing, and secure authentication mechanisms
to protect sensitive data.
9. Documentation: Document your code, including comments and explanations of algorithms, data
structures, and functions. Write user manuals and system documentation to guide users and
administrators on how to use and maintain the system.
10. Deployment: Deploy your Online Voting System on a suitable platform or server. Ensure that the
system is accessible to users and can handle the expected load. Configure security settings and
perform any necessary setup and configuration tasks.
11. Training and Support: Provide training to users and administrators on how to use the system
effectively. Offer ongoing support and maintenance to address any issues or concerns that arise
after deployment.
12. Evaluation and Feedback: Gather feedback from users and stakeholders to evaluate the
performance and usability of the system. Use feedback to identify areas for improvement and
future enhancements.

Clear Plan:

Creating a clear plan for your Online Voting System project will help you stay organized and focused
throughout the development process. Here's a step-by-step plan to guide you:

Phase 1: Planning and Design

1. Define Project Scope and Objectives: Clearly outline the goals and objectives of the Online Voting
System. Define the target users, features, and functionalities.
2. Gather Requirements: Identify and document the functional and non-functional requirements of the
system. Consider security, scalability, usability, and legal compliance.
3. Design System Architecture: Design the overall architecture of the system, including components,
modules, and interactions.
4. Define the data flow, user interfaces, and external dependencies.
5. Select Data Structures and Algorithms: Choose appropriate data structures and algorithms to handle
user authentication, candidate management, and vote counting.

Phase 2: Implementation

1. Set Up Development Environment: Install necessary tools and libraries, such as a C compiler and
development IDE. Set up version control if using Git or a similar system.
 2. Implement Data Structures and Algorithms: Develop the core functionalities of the Online Voting
System, including data structures for voters, candidates, and votes. Implement algorithms for user
authentication, vote casting, and result calculation.
3. Build User Interface: Develop the user interface for the Online Voting System.
4. Design intuitive screens for voter registration, candidate selection, and vote submission.
5. Handle Security Concerns: Implement security measures to protect user data, prevent unauthorized
access, and ensure the integrity of the voting process. Use encryption, secure authentication
methods, and access controls.

Phase 3: Testing and Validation

1. Perform Unit Testing: Test individual components and modules to ensure they function correctly.
Use unit testing frameworks if available.
2. Conduct Integration Testing: Test the integration of different components to ensure they work
together as expected. Verify data flow and communication between modules.
3. Validate System Functionality: Conduct end-to-end testing to validate the functionality of the
Online Voting System. Test various scenarios, including voter registration, vote casting, and result
generation.

Phase 4: Deployment and Maintenance

1. Deploy the System: Deploy the Online Voting System on a suitable server or hosting environment.
Configure the system for production use and perform any necessary setup tasks.
2. Provide User Training: Train users and administrators on how to use the system effectively.
Provide documentation and support resources.
3. Monitor and Maintain: Monitor the system for performance issues, security vulnerabilities, and
user feedback.
4. Implement updates and patches as needed to address issues and improve functionality.

Expected duration:

The duration required to complete the development of an Online Voting System using Data Structures in
C can vary based on several factors, including the complexity of the project, your proficiency in
programming, the availability of resources, and the level of detail you aim to achieve. However, here's a
rough estimate of the time required for each phase of the project:

1. Planning and Design: This phase can take anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the clarity of
requirements and the complexity of the system you intend to build.
2. Implementation: The implementation phase is typically the most time-consuming part of the project.
Depending on the complexity of the system and the depth of features, this phase may take 4 to 6
weeks or longer.
3. Testing and Validation: Testing is crucial for ensuring the reliability and correctness of the system.
Plan for 1 to 2 weeks for thorough testing and validation of the system.
4. Deployment and Maintenance: Deploying the system and providing user training can take 1 to 2
weeks. Ongoing maintenance and support may continue indefinitely, depending on the requirements
and updates needed.
Considering these estimates, the overall duration for completing the project could range from 1 to 3
months, assuming you work on it consistently and allocate sufficient time each week. However, it's
important to remember that these are just rough estimates, and the actual time required may vary based on
your specific circumstances and the complexity of the project. Additionally, unexpected challenges or
requirements changes may impact the timeline. Therefore, it's essential to remain flexible and adaptable
throughout the development process.

Conclusion:

Overall, the Online Voting System Using Data Structures in C demonstrates the application of
fundamental programming concepts in building a functional voting platform, laying the groundwork for
more sophisticated online voting systems in the future.

Keywords:

Online Voting System

Data Structure
C Programming
Electronic Voting
Authentication
Ballot Management
User Registration
Ballot Casting
Security Measures
Encryption Vote Tabulation
Access Control, Transparency
Accountability
Democratic Processes
 REFERENCES

1. Goodrich, Michael T., Roberto Tamassia, and David M. Mount. "Data Structures and Algorithms in C++."
John Wiley & Sons, 2011. (Provides insights into various data structures and their implementations in
C++ which can be adapted to C).
2. Weiss, Mark Allen. "Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis in C." Pearson, 2014. (Offers a
comprehensive understanding of data structures and algorithms in C, which can be applied to the project).
3. Kernighan, Brian W., and Dennis M. Ritchie. "The C Programming Language." Prentice Hall, 1988. (A
classic reference for C programming language, essential for understanding C syntax and principles).
4. Cormen, Thomas H., Charles E. Leiserson, Ronald L. Rivest, and Clifford Stein. "Introduction to
Algorithms." MIT Press, 2009. (Provides detailed explanations of algorithms and data structures which
can be adapted to the project).
5. Online resources such as GeeksforGeeks ( www.geeksforgeeks.org ) and Stack Overflow
(www.stackoverflow.com) can be invaluable for troubleshooting and understanding specific
implementation challenges.
6. IEEE Xplore ( www.ieeexplore.ieee.org ) and ACM Digital Library ( www.dl.acm.org ) are excellent
platforms for accessing academic papers and research articles related to online voting systems, data
structures, and security measures.
7. Government and electoral commission websites often publish reports, guidelines, and specifications for
electronic voting systems, offering valuable insights into real-world requirements and best practices.