1. Online voting: a legal perspective

2. CyberVote Http://www.eucybervote.org
Part of the IST 1999 programme under the 5th Framework
1/9/2000 – 31/3/2003
Partners: EADS (FR) – BT (UK) – NOKIA (FI) – K.U. Leuven (BE) – Technical University of Eindhoven (NL) – Freie Hansestadt Bremen (DE) – Mairie d’Issey-les-Moulineaux (FR) – Kista Stadsdelsnämnd (SE)

3. Objectives of Cybervote
Demonstrating a secure cyber-voting prototype using mobile and fixed Internet technologies
Defining and implementing a prototype embedding an innovative voting protocol to ensure integrity, privacy and authentication of the voters.
The prototype was demonstrated and evaluated on 3 trial applications (Bremen – Kista – Issey-les-Moulineaux)

4. Desirability of Internet voting
Transparency
Participation
Capturing people’s interest
Alternative for people residing abroad and ill or disabled persons
Tabulation time and accuracy
Cost-effective equipment
Reduced costs of elections
Faster than hand-counting
Not subject to human error

5. Voting systems Paper based elections
Automated elections (using any kind of voting machines)
Electronic voting (using the computer)
Off-line (stand-alone computer)
Online (connected in a closed or open network)
Internet voting (Internet functions as network)
Polling place Internet voting
Remote Internet voting

6. Basic principles Equal, non-discriminatory access Democratic elections
Freedom to vote, without undue influence or coercion – secrecy of the vote
One person, one vote
Integrity, reliability and security of the ballot box
Verifiability and audit ability of the voting process
Voter’s confidence in the voting system

7. 1. Non-discrimination and equality
Equal situations should be treated equally and unequal situations unequally
Exceptions allowed if distinction is objective and reasonable
Equal accessibility to the voting process
Poll sites
Remote online voting
Co-existence

8. 2. a. Freedom to vote / Secrecy of the vote
Anonymity and secrecy should be observed during the whole election process
Can ideal material circumstances be obtained when voting from home or workplace or from a mobile phone?
Abusive practices:
Buying and selling of votes
Family voting

9. 2.b. One person, one vote Authentication Security and reliability
Only legitimate voters can vote
Each voter can vote only once
Security and reliability
Every cast vote may to be counted only once
A cast vote may not be able to be altered in the course of the voting process

10. 2.c. Reliability and security
Reliability is a matter of technical architecture
Gain people’s trust
Simple to use
Security
Voter authentication
Vote integrity
Vote privacy
Vote reliability
Non-duplication
Defence against denial of service attacks
Defence against malicious code attacks

11. 2.d. Verifiability and audit ability
Ability to control polling and tabulation
Allow for a recount when necessary
Audit trail enhances integrity and trustworthiness
2.e. Voter’s confidence
Open source?

12. Discussion