Blockchain Application in Voting Systems!

[Oluwa-btc]

I was pondering on how we'll see a better Voting system in my country (Nigeria) since there's going to be a general elections coming up next year, so I thought if this, since because(Blockchain Technology) of it's highly accurate, Security heightened and transparency can this be use to get the better side if voting systems ?

Not just in my country but around the globe, can this be possible?
But one major drawback to achieving this might be the government's.
Can the Application of Blockchain Technology improve Voting Systems ?

Thoughts!

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[amishmanish]

Nice thought. I mean we choose our representatives via voting and very often they betray us. Can we think of a republic where people participate in each decision of government through a blockchain voting system

[Oluwa-btc]

Nice thought. I mean we choose our representatives via voting and very often they betray us. Can we think of a republic where people participate in each decision of government through a blockchain voting system

I can't wait for such to be implemented.
Satoshi Nakamoto did use Bitcoin to solve financial issues, I believe we can use Blockchain Technology to solve our Voting Systems.
But this will sure take a long long time.

[Sauv84]

Good idea.
The government can often tamper with voting results as it sees fit.
But I doubt it will ever be implemented.

[BlackHatCoiner]

But, voting should be anonymous.

[JeromeTash]

For a blockchain system to be highly transparent, incorruptible and accurate, then it has to be decentralized, just like the way Bitcoin is. Do you think Governments love that Kind of decentralization?
Certainly not.

Because Governments hate a system they can not control or manipulate 

What you will end up seeing, is a centralized semi-blockchain system that the Government can still corrupt or manipulate to satisfy their results.

[teosanru]

Nice thought. I mean we choose our representatives via voting and very often they betray us. Can we think of a republic where people participate in each decision of government through a blockchain voting system

I've always imagined that one day such a thing would definitely be possible, We currently use the indirect method of electing our leaders and then allow them to make decisions for us, but in near future after a few decades, the information won't be a barrier at all at that point in time everyone would have that mind and ability to correctly participate in every decision of the government through a voting system. Currently the challenge isn't the technology but the lack of awareness and information which might lead to wrong decisions and decisions taken under undue influence. But yes such a thing would be like a miracle a few decades down the line.

But, voting should be anonymous.

Not a single doubt in that, just like bitcoin it can be pseudonymous, you can map a voting has and a public key which voted for you, but database which connects each public key to identity of the users should not be in any domain and should be highly classified.

[BlackHatCoiner]

Not a single doubt in that, just like bitcoin it can be pseudonymous, you can map a voting has and a public key which voted for you, but database which connects each public key to identity of the users should not be in any domain and should be highly classified.

I didn't say there aren't ways to handle it. I just want to point out the obvious: Voting is, and should be anonymous. It's contradictory with transparency.

The next question is: How are you going to accomplish it? To have immutability you need a timestamp server that relies on proof of work. To have such server you need an incentive. To have an incentive you need money units. These units already exist; bitcoins. There's no reason to re-implement it nor will you get the same level of immutability.

So you'll use Bitcoin. Alright, how much is this gonna cost? A lot, I presume. Can you imagine millions of people broadcasting their transactions at the same day? Sounds tough, bandwidth-wise.

[Oluwa-btc]

But, voting should be anonymous.

I second this and voting would be done with little amounts of Bitcoin!
How about this ? I don't know though, just sharing my ideas.

[PrimeNumber7]

But, voting should be anonymous.

This. Without the secret ballot, it would be possible for governments to intimidate people into voting a certain way. This is why "cardcheck" voting for union votes are so bad (and why unions are so in favor of it).

Another issue is that it is trivial to create an ~unlimited number of private keys. A blockchain vote could prove that a candidate received a certain number of votes, but it would be impossible to know if only eligible voters cast votes.

[lumbanrang]

Blockchain technology is very suitable to be applied to the electoral system, because it is a technology that is free of manipulation and the data sent can be updated in real time. And also it is lower cost compared to traditional electoral system. However, what is of concern is that this technology has not been widely accepted by countries in the world.

[merchantofzeny]

I don't know how they'll implement it so that the system will show everyone who has voted while at the same time protecting ballot secrecy. This is one thing where you don't want too much transparency.

[bittraffic]

For voting system to be possible and as accurate as you may think, the people of Nigeria will have to sign up and submit KYC too. I guess that will not be easy for some other country but I think in China, this can be done without issue from people concern of privacy.

Voting system is definitely needed, we don't want any doubts to the result and hearing all over again like Trump's counting dispute. There are several countries probably have this kind of issue but because of so corrupt system the media don't even't publish anything.

[Alisha-k]

Blockchain technology implementation in voting is the only transparent way to ensure votes are counted and valid. In Nigeria it's one thing to come out in mass and exercise your franchise and it's another thing to have it been counter and accounted for. Most times voting is just mare formality the already know the winner before the election. Blockchain is a sure expectation for 2023 general election

[UKprod]

This has already been implemented in one form or other in Sierra Leone, Russia and Japan (Source).

In the implementation of the voting blockchain, we could possibly require a privacy protected blockchain for voting and would need to be thoroughly designed, so that a democratic tool in itself doesn't endanger democracy. Also, once it is implemented, it could face heavy resistance from people since blockchain has been always associated with social vices in the press and this may not be any different. Imagine the confusion, the governments who were criticizing cryptocurrencies are suddenly using the same technology for their voting purposes.

[Mometaskers]

I think this is a good application for blockchain, it would be a big help against election fraud. It should be clear that the person has voted but there should be steps to ensure the anonymity of the vote itself. In my country our voting machines print out receipts for us to check whether it correctly accepted our input but we are not allowed to take it.

The votes getting out could have implications such as discrimination from government services if you voted for a losing candidate.

[suzanne5223]

I was pondering on how we'll see a better Voting system in my country (Nigeria) since there's going to be a general elections coming up next year, so I thought if this, since because(Blockchain Technology) of it's highly accurate, Security heightened and transparency can this be use to get the better side if voting systems ?

Yes, a blockchain voting system will be a better decision if used for election voting counting but I don't see it as something that the African country will adopt now when the greatest country in the world hasn't made use of it.
The last time I checked cryptocurrency payment was restricted in the country and I don't think I have ever for once hear their President recognizing the benefit of blockchain. Besides, with the issue of bad government there I don't they will welcome a blockchain voting system.

Not just in my country but around the globe, can this be possible?

It is possible but corruption will be minimal before any government will allow it since blockchain is transparent.

[KingsDen]

Nice thought. I mean we choose our representatives via voting and very often they betray us. Can we think of a republic where people participate in each decision of government through a blockchain voting system

This is too loud and a genius idea. Could this ever come to pass or it will die in imagination.
If people can participate in the decision making of their country through blockchain, we can say goodbye to bad governance.
No! There will still be fraud in the system, when it comes to implementation.

I am happy, this kind of ideas give me hope of a better future.

[Tash]

Why would somoone want a representative who works against them?
Why is it people want to support scams instead of being free and responsible for own well being.