Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland 23 June 2006 Improving transparency, accountability and responsiveness RIES: Rijnland Internet Election System The Netherlands Gerard Doornbos, Chairman Rijnland District Water Control Board

Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland 23 June Rijnland District Water Control Board Rijn Delta Rijnland: 1100 km^2; 1.3 million people

Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland 23 June Water board election 2004 with RIES 35% voters used it 86 % positive user feedback and zero negative Flawless in processing Full validation by independent parties What is RIES and how did we get there?

Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland 23 June Background Dutch policy: 65% all public services admissible trough Internet in 2007 Specific Water Board objectives for elections Optimum combination of: 1.maximum accessibility 2.maximum user-friendliness 3.lowest cost possible

Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland 23 June Main Goals: government perspective Combine with postal-mail voting, without any requirement for the voter to preregister his preferred way of voting. Fully transparent and verifiable by voters and independent experts. Increase of usability for handicapped and visual handicapped Simplification in back-office organisation

Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland 23 June Ability to cast vote in different ways and several times Ability to check if their vote was actually cast and counted in the tally; 70% of the voters stressed this as important 99% should be able to use the system on their regular Internet attached PC, Meets the formal government criteria for elections (transparency, etc etc) Comfort and Transparancy: user’s perspective

Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland 23 June Validation of votes: thrustworthy election

Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland 23 June Transparency and accountability ´appreciated´

Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland 23 June Relevance and transferability Any election can use RIES (formal and informal) Fully transparent Voters highly content 'Saves time‘ 'Otherwise, I would not have voted‘ 'I can vote whenever I please‘ 'I don’t have to leave home‘ 'Fast and easy'

Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland 23 June The Future House of Parliament election 2007 Dutchman abroad Water board elections 2008: 12 million eligible voters RIES: fit for anyone!! Share the experience and knowledge within the UN.

Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland 23 June Finally: The future of a system like RIES lies in the fact that it is actually used. Together, we could assist in building an even more democratic world! This award is huge step and huge recognition, THANK YOU!

Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland 23 June Improving transparency, accountability and responsiveness with RIES Gerard Doornbos, Chairman Rijnland District Water Control Board