Council of Europe workshop on the certification of e-voting systems Strasbourg, November 2009

COUNCIL OF EUROPE  Mission: Promoting and protecting Human rights, democracy and the rule of law Promoting and protecting Human rights, democracy and the rule of law Council of Europe Summit (May 2005), Action Plan: “We will also take initiatives so that our member states make use of the opportunities provided by the information society. In this connection the Council of Europe will examine how ICT can facilitate democratic reform and practice”.

PROJECT « GOOD GOVERNANCE IN THE INFORMATION SOCIETY » The project on “Good Governance in the Information Society” (set up in 2005) is focusing on how new information and communication technologies (ICT) affect the practice of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Council of Europe member states.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS TO MEMBER STATES  Recommendation (2004) 11 on legal, operational and technical standards for e-voting (September 2004)  Recommendation (2004) 15 on e-governance (December 2004)  Recommendation (2009) 1 on e-democracy (February 2009)

Recommendation (2009) 1 on e-democracy prepared by CAHDE, adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 18 February 2009  provides European governments and other stakeholders with a comprehensive set of principles and guidelines concerning e-democracy  is accompanied by several practical tools (e.g. A Set of generic tools; Checklist for the introduction of e-democracy tools; Evaluating e- democracy; Glossary of technical terms)

PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY  Recommendation of the Parliamentary Assembly on e-democracy (Rec 1860, Jan. 2009) CONGRESS OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES  “Electronic tools: a response to the needs of local authorities” Recommendation 248 (2008)  “Electronic democracy and deliberative consultation on urban projects” Recommendation 249 (2008)  E-democracy: opportunities and risks for local authorities, Rec. 274 (2009)

Recommendation Rec(2004)11 on legal, operational and technical standards for e-voting  Objectives: -apply the principles of democratic elections to e-voting -set minimum standards for remote and non-remote e-voting -provide member states with a comprehensive checklist for all stages of the electoral process -promote and ensure the interoperability of e-voting systems

Follow-up to Recommendation Rec(2004)11 on e-voting  exploring the need for further intergovernmental co-operation, e.g. on the certification of e-voting systems and the observation of e-enabled elections  providing assistance to e-voting initiatives and pilots in member states  organising biennial meetings to review developments in member states and the application of the Recommendation and to exchange good practice

3rd biennial meeting to review developments in member states and the application of the Recommendation (Madrid, 16 October 2008) Outcome: Member states’ representatives confirmed the validity of the Recommendation Member states’ representatives confirmed the validity of the Recommendation and tasked the Secretariat to and tasked the Secretariat to make an inventory of possible issues that couldmake an inventory of possible issues that could be added prepare a draft “appendix” for consideration at the review meeting in 2010prepare a draft “appendix” for consideration at the review meeting in 2010

Purpose of this workshop  discuss the scope, feasibility and necessity of the certification of e-voting systems within the general context of democratic elections  consider whether there is a need for drawing up guidelines or standards on the certification of e- voting systems  make proposals for possible next steps