A Contemporary Approach to Designing and Implementing Electronic Voting Systems (EVS)

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4108/eetsc.3896

Keywords:

Smart Cities, Software Engineering, E-voting System, Intelligent Agent, Multi-Agent Systems

Abstract

This study delves into the potential of Electronic Voting Systems (EVS) in Ghana, to enhance transparent and trustworthy electoral processes. We presented a comprehensive framework highlighting trust, diaspora engagement, and human factors in voting. The study proposes a robust EVS framework for Ghana, emphasizing trust and accountability, preventing electoral fraud, and encouraging African governments to invest in IT and collaborate with experts in e-government and e-voting systems. We commence with a detailed systems analysis, identifying specific electoral challenges in Ghana. An artifact is designed and developed, and the artifact's effectiveness is demonstrated through Design Science Research Methodology (DSRM). We evaluated its alignment with the desired solution for Ghana's electoral issues. We emphasize the potential of EVS to address electoral challenges in Ghana and underscore the importance of proactive government policies, IT investments, and collaboration with IT experts. User acceptance testing achieved a remarkable 98% approval rate, showcasing the feasibility of implementing EVS at the national level. This research underlines the pivotal role of EVS in Ghana and advocates for visionary government policies and investments in IT. These measures can modernize electoral systems, align them with international standards, and promote democratic progress while preventing electoral fraud in Ghana and other African nations to avoid condemnation and punishment of unconstitutional transfers of power that are being challenged by meticulously planned takeovers.

 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Adams Addison Kobla Azameti, University of Professional Studies

Information Technology

Lecturer

Samuel Chris Quist, University of Professional Studies

Department of Information Technology.

Lecturer

Godfred Koi-Akrofi, University of Professional Studies

Department of Information Technology.

Senior Lecturer

Benedict C. Nwachuku, Academic City College University

Information Technology

Students

References

References

Desai, Z., and Lee, A.: ‘Technology and protest: the political effects of electronic voting in India’, Political Science Research and Methods, 2021, 9, (2), pp. 398-413 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/psrm.2019.51

Paul, D., and Ray, S.K.: ‘A preview on microcontroller based electronic voting machine’, International Journal of Information and Electronics Engineering, 2013, 3, (2), pp. 185-190 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7763/IJIEE.2013.V3.295

Bell, S., Benaloh, J., Byrne, M.D., DeBeauvoir, D., Eakin, B., Kortum, P., McBurnett, N., Pereira, O., Stark, P.B., and Wallach, D.S.: ‘{STAR-Vote}: A secure, transparent, auditable, and reliable voting system’, in Editor (Ed.)^(Eds.): ‘Book {STAR-Vote}: A secure, transparent, auditable, and reliable voting system’ (2013, edn.), pp.

Lopresti, D., Nagy, G., and Smith, E.B.: ‘Document analysis issues in reading optical scan ballots’, in Editor (Ed.)^(Eds.): ‘Book Document analysis issues in reading optical scan ballots’ (2010, edn.), pp. 105-112 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/1815330.1815344

Mounier-Kuhn, P.-E.: ‘Punched-Card Systems and the Early Information Explosion, 1880–1945. By Lars Heide. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2009. 369 pp. Illustrations, appendix, notes, index. Cloth, $65.00. ISBN: 978-0-801-89143-4’, Business History Review, 2011, 85, (1), pp. 233-236 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007680511000274

Abuelenin, S.M., and Elaraby, S.: ‘A generalized framework for connectivity analysis in vehicle-to-vehicle communications’, IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, 2021, 23, (6), pp. 5894-5898 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/TITS.2021.3052846

Bhavani, G.L., Ramu, M., Gupta, S., Akula, S.P., Gomathi, S., and Yadav, A.: ‘Development and Performance Evaluation of a Blockchain Associated E-Voting System in IoT-Enabled Smart-Cities’, in Editor (Ed.)^(Eds.): ‘Book Development and Performance Evaluation of a Blockchain Associated E-Voting System in IoT-Enabled Smart-Cities’ (IEEE, 2022, edn.), pp. 935-941 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ICIEM54221.2022.9853068

Rathee, G., Iqbal, R., Waqar, O., and Bashir, A.K.: ‘On the design and implementation of a blockchain enabled e-voting application within iot-oriented smart cities’, IEEE Access, 2021, 9, pp. 34165-34176 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2021.3061411

Johnson, N., Jones, B.M., and Clendenon, K.: ‘E-voting in america: Current realities and future directions’, in Editor (Ed.)^(Eds.): ‘Book E-voting in america: Current realities and future directions’ (Springer, 2017, edn.), pp. 337-349 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58559-8_27

Bhuyan, D.: ‘Effectiveness of Electronic Voting Machine in the Electoral System of India: New Op portunities and Challenges’, International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering, 2019, 8, (2), pp. 192-199 DOI: https://doi.org/10.35940/ijrte.A2199.078219

Amankwaah, C.: ‘Election-related violence: The case of Ghana’ (Nordiska Afrikainstitutet, 2013. 2013)

Brosché, J., Fjelde, H., and Höglund, K.: ‘Electoral violence and the legacy of authoritarian rule in Kenya and Zambia’, Journal of Peace Research, 2020, 57, (1), pp. 111-125 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0022343319884983

Saldanha, D.M.F., and SILVA, M.B.D.: ‘Transparency and accountability of government algorithms: the case of the Brazilian electronic voting system’, Cadernos EBAPE. BR, 2020, 18, pp. 697-712 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1679-395120190023x

Long IV, J.D.: ‘Voting, fraud, and violence: political accountability in African elections’ (University of California, San Diego, 2012. 2012)

Azameti, A.A., Quist, C.S., and Nwachuku, B.C.: ‘Design and Implementation of Electronic Voting Systems (Evss) for Effective Election Management: A Contemporary Approach’, Available at SSRN 4239415

Jefferies, A.: ‘Introducing and using electronic voting systems in a large scale project with undergraduate students: Reflecting on the challenges and successes’, in Editor (Ed.)^(Eds.): ‘Book Introducing and using electronic voting systems in a large scale project with undergraduate students: Reflecting on the challenges and successes’ (Academic Conferences Ltd., 2011, edn.), pp.

Jafar, U., Aziz, M.J.A., and Shukur, Z.: ‘Blockchain for electronic voting system—review and open research challenges’, Sensors, 2021, 21, (17), pp. 5874 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/s21175874

Salman, H., Hasan, R., and Gbashi, E.K.: ‘Development of Electronic Elections Systems: A Review’, Webology, 2022, 19, (1), pp. 1750-1762 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14704/WEB/V19I1/WEB19117

Yumeng, F., Liye, T., Fanbao, L., and Chong, G.: ‘Electronic voting: A review and taxonomy’, in Editor (Ed.)^(Eds.): ‘Book Electronic voting: A review and taxonomy’ (IEEE, 2012, edn.), pp. 912-917 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ICICEE.2012.242

Adekunle, S.E.: ‘A Review of Electronic Voting Systems: Strategy for a Novel’, International Journal of Information Engineering & Electronic Business, 2020, 12, (1) DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijieeb.2020.01.03

Gibson, J.P., Krimmer, R., Teague, V., and Pomares, J.: ‘A review of e-voting: the past, present and future’, Annals of Telecommunications, 2016, 71, pp. 279-286 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12243-016-0525-8

Herrnson, P.S., Bederson, B.B., Lee, B., Francia, P.L., Sherman, R.M., Conrad, F.G., Traugott, M., and Niemi, R.G.: ‘Early appraisals of electronic voting’, Social Science Computer Review, 2005, 23, (3), pp. 274-292 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0894439305275850

Okediran, O., Omidiora, E., Olabiyisi, S., Ganiyu, R., and Alo, O.: ‘A framework for a multifaceted electronic voting system’, International Journal of Applied Science and Technology, 2011, 1, (4), pp. 135-142

Buchsbaum, T.M.: ‘E-voting: International developments and lessons learnt’, in Editor (Ed.)^(Eds.): ‘Book E-voting: International developments and lessons learnt’ (Gesellschaft für Informatik eV, 2004, edn.), pp.

Sarker, M.M., and Akhund, T.M.N.U.: ‘The roadmap to the electronic voting system development: a literature review’, International Journal of Advanced Engineering, Management and Science, 2016, 2, (5), pp. 239465

Chondros, N., Delis, A., Gavatha, D., Kiayias, A., Koutalakis, C., Nicolacopoulos, I., Paschos, L., Roussopoulou, M., Sotirelis, G., and Stathopoulos, P.: ‘Electronic voting systems–from theory to implementation’, in Editor (Ed.)^(Eds.): ‘Book Electronic voting systems–from theory to implementation’ (Springer, 2014, edn.), pp. 113-122 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14229-6_11

Alvarez, R.M., Hall, T.E., and Trechsel, A.H.: ‘Internet voting in comparative perspective: the case of Estonia’, PS: Political Science & Politics, 2009, 42, (3), pp. 497-505 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1049096509090787

Olusola, O.O., Olusayo, O.E., Olatunde, O.S., and Adesina, G.R.: ‘A review of the underlying concepts of electronic voting’, Information and Knowledge Management, ISSN, 2012, pp. 2224-5758

Prandini, M., and Ramilli, M.: ‘Taking the Best of Both Worlds: a Comparison and Integration of the US and EU Approaches to E-voting Systems Evaluation’, in Editor (Ed.)^(Eds.): ‘Book Taking the Best of Both Worlds: a Comparison and Integration of the US and EU Approaches to E-voting Systems Evaluation’ (IEEE, 2011, edn.), pp. 1-10 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/HICSS.2011.395

Mpekoa, N., and van Greunen, D.: ‘E-voting experiences: A case of Namibia and Estonia’, in Editor (Ed.)^(Eds.): ‘Book E-voting experiences: A case of Namibia and Estonia’ (IEEE, 2017, edn.), pp. 1-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.23919/ISTAFRICA.2017.8102303

Qadah, G.Z., and Taha, R.: ‘Electronic voting systems: Requirements, design, and implementation’, Computer Standards & Interfaces, 2007, 29, (3), pp. 376-386 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csi.2006.06.001

Ansari, N., Sakarindr, P., Haghani, E., Zhang, C., Jain, A.K., and Shi, Y.Q.: ‘Evaluating electronic voting systems equipped with voter-verified paper records’, IEEE Security & Privacy, 2008, 6, (3), pp. 30-39 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/MSP.2008.62

Bannister, F., and Connolly, R.: ‘A risk assessment framework for electronic voting’, International Journal of Technology, Policy and Management, 2007, 7, (2), pp. 190-208 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1504/IJTPM.2007.014537

Goos, K., Beckert, B., and Lindner, R.: ‘Electronic, Internet-based voting’, Electronic Democracy in Europe: Prospects and Challenges of e-Publics, e-Participation and e-Voting, 2016, pp. 135-184 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27419-5_4

Alvarez, R.M., and Hall, T.E.: ‘Lessons and Trends in E-Voting: Initiatives in the US and Abroad’, 2005

Analytica, O.: ‘Africa may experience a new wave of coups’, Emerald Expert Briefings, 2021, (oxan-db)

Chin, J.J., and Kirkpatrick, J.: ‘African coups in the COVID-19 era: A current history’, Frontiers in Political Science, 2023, 5, pp. 1077945 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpos.2023.1077945

Powell, J., Lasley, T., and Schiel, R.: ‘Combating Coups d’état in Africa, 1950–2014’, Studies in Comparative International Development, 2016, 51, pp. 482-502 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12116-015-9210-6

McGowan, P., and Johnson, T.H.: ‘African Military Coups d'État and Underdevelopment: a quantitative historical analysis’, The journal of modern African studies, 1984, 22, (4), pp. 633-666 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022278X00056275

Charlton, R.: ‘Predicting African military coups’, Futures, 1983, 15, (4), pp. 281-292 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-3287(83)90129-5

Analytica, O.: ‘The threat of African military coups may rise’, Emerald Expert Briefings, 2020, (oxan-db)

Collier, P., and Hoeffler, A.: ‘Coup traps: why does Africa have so many coups d'état?’, 2005

Alismail, S., Zhang, H., and Chatterjee, S.: ‘A framework for identifying design science research objectives for building and evaluating IT artifacts’, in Editor (Ed.)^(Eds.): ‘Book A framework for identifying design science research objectives for building and evaluating IT artifacts’ (Springer, 2017, edn.), pp. 218-230 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59144-5_13

Iivari, J., Hansen, M.R.P., and Haj-Bolouri, A.: ‘A framework for light reusability evaluation of design principles in design science research’, in Editor (Ed.)^(Eds.): ‘Book A framework for light reusability evaluation of design principles in design science research’ (2018, edn.), pp.

Lee, S.: ‘Unified Modeling Language (UML) for databasesystems and computer applications’, International Journal ofDatabase Theory and Application, 2012, 5, (1), pp. 157-164

Koç, H., Erdoğan, A.M., Barjakly, Y., and Peker, S.: ‘UMLdiagrams in software engineering research: a systematicliterature review’, in Editor (Ed.)^(Eds.): ‘Book UMLdiagrams in software engineering research: a systematicliterature review’ (MDPI, 2021, edn.), pp. 13 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2021074013

Azameti, A., Koi-Akrofi, G., Agbodo, N., and Amegadzie, J.:‘A Model-Driven Optical Clinic Management Systems:Systematic Software Engineering Approach’, EAI EndorsedTransactions on Pervasive Health and Technology, 2022, 8,(30) DOI: https://doi.org/10.4108/eai.16-3-2022.173610

Kim, C.-H., Weston, R.H., Hodgson, A., and Lee, K.-H.: ‘Thecomplementary use of IDEF and UML modelling approaches’, Computers in industry, 2003, 50, (1), pp. 35-56 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-3615(02)00145-8

Bersini, H.: ‘Uml for abm’, Journal of Artificial Societies andSocial Simulation, 2012, 15, (1), pp. 9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18564/jasss.1897

Engels, G., Förster, A., Heckel, R., and Thöne, S.: ‘Processmodeling using UML’, Process‐Aware Information Systems:Bridging People and Software through Process Technology,2005, pp. 83-117 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/0471741442.ch5

Downloads

Published

14-03-2024

How to Cite

[1]
A. A. K. Azameti, S. C. Quist, G. Koi-Akrofi, and B. C. Nwachuku, “A Contemporary Approach to Designing and Implementing Electronic Voting Systems (EVS)”, EAI Endorsed Trans Smart Cities, vol. 7, no. 3, Mar. 2024.