Online Voting

Research Journal of Information Technology 3(2): 91-98, 2011 ISSN: 2041-3114 © Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2011 Submitted: July 22, 2011 Accepted: August 27, 2011

Published: September 30, 2011

The Design of an Electronic Voting System
G.O. Ofori-Dwumfuo and E. Paatey Methodist University College, Ghana
Abstract: The aim of this study is to design an electronic voting system based upon the electoral process adopted in Ghana. In recent years, information technology has greatly affected all aspects of life, and to a large extent, this includes politics. In order to choose people to various positions different methods have been set up, with researchers continually trying to find improvement to the existing methods. The most recent method to be devised is electronic voting (e-voting). It is meant to phase out outdated paper ballot, punched cards and other mechanical voting systems with paperless electronic or online voting systems. E-voting systems endeavour to make elections simple while reducing the total cost of the election. Designing an air-tight and reliable e-voting system is therefore a great task, in that, the system that must be developed must protect the privacy of the voter, be easily understood and used by the entire voting populace - no matter who they are or where they come from. Based on this, OVIS, an On-line Voting System, has been developed. It came about as a result of the findings of a study of the electoral process of the Electoral Commission of Ghana. Key words: Electronic voting systems, Ghana electoral system, manual voting systems, voting system design INTRODUCTION One basic feature of democracy that cuts across all divides of people is the act of election. Democracy thus encourages individual freedom according to the rule of law, so that people may behave and express themselves as they choose. This not only gives people a chance to choose their leaders, but also to freely express their views on issues. In response to the 1948

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