Dear PM : Please include this in 100 DAYS ROAD-MAP
Context :
IIT-M charts new course, uses blockchain for student body polls .. TOI … 29 Apr 2024
Extract :
In this season, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras witnessed an innovative stride in democracy by conducting its student body poll using blockchain technology.
The initiative, led by students of 'Webops and Blockchain Club' at the Centre for Innovation (CFI), IIT-Madras, has now evolved into a startup, with both governmental and private organisations employing its software for managing land and health records.
Originally conceived as a CSR initiative supported by a leading Indian tech company and department of science and technology, the project aimed to address challenges posed by Covid-19, particularly in accessing medical records and tracking health conditions across geographical borders.
Utilisation of blockchain technology in recent IIT-Madras student legislative council election has garnered recognition in India Book of Records. The team of researchers behind this endeavour pointed out that voting technology is just one among numerous domains where blockchain can revolutionise existing practices.
Envisioning a future where election processes in various sectors embrace secure and transparent blockchain applications for remote voting, Prof Prabhu Rajagopal, ( prajagopal@iitm.ac.in(Work)faculty-in-charge, said:
"This student-led project holds immense transformative potential, promising to reshape conduct of elections."
On the security issue on blockchain technology, more so as the polls are conducted online, the team believes the "system is impossible to hack." Election, conducted online, underscores the team's confidence in the technology's security.
Anirudh Varna, a fourth-year BTech student involved in the project, highlighted the near-impenetrable security of blockchain, requiring malicious actors to gain control of over 50% of the network's nodes simultaneously, a feat deemed practically unattainable.
On security concerns of online blockchain-based polls, Rajagopal emphasised the it's capacity to foster trust and ensure integrity of poll process.
( For details / photo > https://www.technologyforyou.org/iit-madras-conducts-indias-first-blockchain-based-elections-plans-to-scale-up/ ………. https://www.t5eiitm.org/carved-in-stone-the-blockchain-election/ )
My Take :
Ø Simultaneous Polling .. ……………………………..22 Jan 2018
Extract :
Now comes the news that BLOCKCHAIN technology can vastly facilitate MOBILE-BASED VOTING !
If so, EC ( Election Commission ) should ,
· develop VotesApp by end of Feb 201
· give a demo to political parties in March 2018
· conduct a parallel run ( along with EVM-VVPAT ) for Karnataka State Election in May 2018
· Publish the results of both methods in June 2018
Those who have any doubts re suitability of BLOCKCHAIN technology in voting , may want to refer to :
When designing a new voting system, a core tenet would be to remove all need for “trust,” and place strong emphasis on open verification of the process and the votes. A similar problem was addressed with digital currency such as Bitcoin and Etherium.
On the blockchain, each group of transactions is hashed together, along with a hash of the previous block, and the entire blockchain would be publicly accessible.
Using a blockchain for digital voting could record both voter and candidate ID, as well as the time. The voter IDs are a public / private key pair, not traceable to a voter’s identity.
https://followmyvote.com/online-voting-technology/blockchain-technology/
Another application for blockchain technology is voting.
By casting votes as transactions, we can create a blockchain which keeps track of the tallies of the votes.
This way, everyone can agree on the final count because they can count the votes themselves, and because of the blockchain audit trail, they can verify that no votes were changed or removed, and no illegitimate votes were added.
https://www.thebalance.com/how-the-blockchain-will-change-how-we-vote-4012008
Among the startups that followed in an attempt to build upon the Blockchain to create a secure voting system was a Virginia-based company called FollowMyVote.
There is a common misconception that voting cannot be done online in a secure way.
https://www.economist.com/sites/default/files/plymouth.pdf
Security of digital voting is always the biggest concern when considering to implement a digital voting system.
With such monumental decisions at stake, there can be no doubt about the system’s ability to secure data and defend against potential attacks.
One way the security issues can be potentially solved is through the technology of blockchains.
Ø Block Chain for Voting ? …………………….. 11 March 2018
Extract :
Dear Shri Ravi Shankar Prasadji,
I urge you to consider incorporating this Block-Chain Technology in the following Mobile App proposed by me :
VotesApp …. 18 Aug 2013
This incorporation would be even better ( as far as transparency is concerned ) than the current method of V-VPAT in EVM !
VotesApp will ensure that any voter can get to see ( proof ) of who ( which person ) he voted for , in which election ( Municipal or State or National ) and when – apart from ensuring “ No fake / invalid votes “ !
A complete history of his voting during lifetime – but, which he alone can access on his mobile through his biometrics !
Now imagine aggregation of the voting behaviour of 800 million voters at gross / macro level and totally anonymized – and accessible to anyone on EC’s web site !
This could reveal following types of trends / analytics :
· No of Votes
· Percentage of voters
· Vote share ( party wise )
· State / Region wise
· Gender wise
· Vote swings / Anti Incumbency factors………. Etc
Such BIG DATA analytics might even make it possible to “ predict “ the future voting patterns !
With incorporation of Block-Chain ( into VotesApp ) , opposition will be left with no arguments to oppose SIMULTANEOUS ELECTIONS !
Ø Americans call it “ Voatz “ ……………………….. 13 Aug 2018
Extract :
According to a CNN report published Monday, the state plans to let soldiers who are permanent residents of the state but are serving overseas vote via their smartphones using a blockchain voting app called Voatz. It will mark the first time U.S. citizens can vote via mobile app.
To use Voatz, soldiers will first need to prove they are who they claim to be. The registration process involves uploading a photo of their government-issued ID and a video of their face, taken like a selfie.
The app’s facial recognition software will look at both the photo and video to ensure they depict the same person.
{ On 15 Dec 2015 , I edited my VotesApp blog to add :
“ Vote will get recorded only when that Voter takes a Selfie - which will get matched automatically , with his Aadhar Card photo “ }
After this verification process, the soldiers will be all set to cast their vote. Once they do, the app anonymizes the ballots and records the votes on a blockchain, a secure digital ledger that’s nearly tamperproof.
West Virginia’s Secretary of State Mac Warner insists Voatz is secure. Historically, election security has been one of his top priorities — earlier this year, he secured $6.5 million in federal funding to spend on equipment, cybersecurity, and training to ensure the state’s elections are safe and secure.
West Virginia already tested Voatz in two counties during the primary elections, and several audits of the voting app revealed no issues. We’ll just have to wait to see if the same holds true in November. If it does, more governments could adopt blockchain-supported voting apps in the future.
Ø Analysis Needed : Paralysis Avoided ………………… 13 Sept 2020
Extract :
EC examines Remote Voting Option, sets up Tech Group
The group is expected to submit a ‘conceptual framework’ on ‘remote voting’ within the next two months
Dear Prof Rajat Moona
(director@iitbhilai.ac.in / moona@iitk.ac.in )
I urge your panel to debate my following suggestions before framing its final recommendations :
2012
# VotesApp [ 18 Dec 2012 ]
2020
# First Step to VotesApp ? [24 Jan 2020 ]
# Slow and Steady ? Way Democracy Works [ 12 Mar 2020 ]
2019
# VVPAT ? How about EVBAT ? [ 28 Mar 2019 ]
# Dark Side of Democracy [ 08 Jan 2019 ]
2018
# Americans call it “ Voatz “ [ 13 Aug 2018 ]
# Where is the need ? [ 05 Apr 2018 ]
# Block Chain for Voting ? [ 11 Mar 2018 ]
# Thank You, Shri Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay [ 19 Feb 2018 ]
# Simultaneous Polling [ 22 Jan 2018 ]
2017
# Poll Reforms : Time for a Consensus [ 21 Aug 2017 ]
# A Blue Print for VotesApp ? [ 25 Apr 2017 ]
# Electoral Reforms Capsule : A Bitter Pill ? [ 05 Feb 2017 ]
2016
# Reforming Elections and Lok Sabha [ 20 Dec 2016 ]
# One Nation , One Vote ? [ 29 Nov 2016 ]
# Filtering Candidate Information ? [18 Sept 2016 ]
# One Poll , One Time [ 06 Sept 2016 ]
# Advantage Incumbent ? [ 05 Sept 2016 ]
# ROMP : A Panacea ? [ 06 Aug 2016 ]
# The Greatest Reform ? [ 12 June 2016 ]
# One Day Polling is possible [31 Mar 2016 ]
2015
# How to Save Rs 5511 crore ? [12 Dec 2015 ]
# Honey ! I shrunk the EVM [21 Oct 2015 ]
2014
# All Seasons are Election Seasons [ 22 May 2014 ]
# A Software Powerhouse ? [ 24 Apr 2014 ]
# Sun Never Sets [ 01 Apr 2014 ]
Ø How about “ Sandbox for Mobile Voting “ ? ………… 27 Nov 2020
Extract :
Dear Shri Narendrabhai,
Indian voters have been happily using electronic EVM for voting for many years now – without complaint. Nothing parallel exists anywhere in the World. We pioneered this process ( compare with what just happened in USA )
Even those few political parties which, at first, refused to accept EVM, have now no complaint about their efficacy
If we can convince the opposition that Mobile-based voting is,
Ø Totally reliable and
Ø The process cannot be tampered with,
then there is a good chance that they will accept a Mobile-based Voting – which will pave the way for
“ One Nation One Poll / Simultaneous Elections “
To convince the opposition what we need to do is a small trial – a small experiment – in a small bye-election – in a small constituency – having a small number of voters
An experiment where both of the following “ voting methods “ will be employed simultaneously :
Ø Physical EVM based voting in a physical booth ( marking with indelible ink )
Ø Mobile App based voting from voter’s home ( using biometric IDs of finger – iris- facial recognition of Selfie )
Voters will have following options :
Ø Only vote from a polling booth
Ø Only vote from home , using Mobile App
Ø Use both methods , physical voting in booth, followed by Mobile voting from home
Basis for declaring the Winner :
Ø Only votes polled at physical booth will be considered for declaration of Winner
This assurance will get us the “ Buy-in “ of the Opposition to this experiment
Then, what is the purpose of Mobile-based voting ?
Ø It will enable us to compare the “ votes polled “ under each method
Ø This analysis will tell us how many voters ( but not “Who “) , voted using which method
Ø Time-series will tell us which method was used ( preferred ) at what time of the day
Ø Did Mobile based votes were a result of people who otherwise could not have voted ( Lost Votes ) , being many kilometers away from their designated polling booth ?
Ø If number of voters who used mobile was TWICE / THRICE the number of those who went to polling booth, then can we conclude that people hate trudging down to polling booth and spend hours standing in a queue ?
Ø Do the Winner come out to be the same candidate, under both voting methods ? If yes, very assuring !
How will we know if Voters who used Mobiles were not coerced / influenced by party workers ?
Ø NaviC based GPS will tell us where precisely that mobile phone was exactly when vote was cast
Ø It will also tell us ( Heat Map ? ) whether many other mobile phones were nearby at that moment ( eg: local office of political parties )
How can we conduct such a small-scale experiment , without disturbing EVM-based voting ?
Ø By creating ( what I call ) a “ Mobile Voting Sandbox “
Any current example of such a controlled “ Experimental set-up “ to gather evidence of efficacy of a method ?
Ø Yes. The National Digital Health Mission has created such a SANDBOX
How does it work ?
Ø Read : Accelerating Digital Health Innovation / Eco Times – 26 Nov 2020
Extract :
# NDHM has created a “sandbox “that enables technologies or products to be tested in a contained
Environment and duration – subject to NDHM standards and oversight – and judge the consumer and
market reactions to the same
# The sandbox will facilitate integration of current systems and IT platforms in healthcare with NDHM building
blocks namely , Health ID, Doctors’ and Health Facility Registries, and Patient Health Records
# At its core, the sandbox has been created with the objective to foster RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION in
Health Tech Services, promote efficiency and bring benefit to consumers
# The sandbox brings together healthcare and health tech service providers, centrally and state run public
Health programmes , software providers, healthcare aggregators, tech companies to TEST and INTEGRATE
their products and services with NDHM
# The NDHM sandbox is founded on the idea that the government, private sector and citizen need to work
together as partner to solve the problem of healthcare. It will enable “ learning by doing “ on all sides
===================================================================
What features should be built into the “ Mobile Voting Sandbox “ ?
Ø Central Election Commission ( CEC ) to get the Mobile App developed and oversee its working
Ø CEC to declare ( 2 months in advance ) date of Bye Election for a given constituency
Ø Mobile App will work on that date only and between 8am – 6pm only
Ø On that date, at 6pm. it will self-destruct automatically, even if not used
Ø If used, App will self-destruct immediately after transmitting the data to the Central Server of CEC
Ø Although a voter can vote once again from his Mobile AFTER he has already voted from physical booth, it will NOT be possible to do other way around ( ie:, he cannot first vote from mobile and then go to booth for voting ).
Ø As soon as a voter has voted from booth, EVM will immediately transmit his vote ( candidate selected ) to the Central Server of CEC
Ø Now , if he has voted for candidate XYZ ( belonging to BJP ) in booth, then after going home , he cannot vote ( select ) candidate LMJ ( belonging to Congress ) , from his Mobile App . If he does, Server / App will not let him click “ SUBMIT “ .
This is safeguard is essential to ensure that voters do not play mischief / confuse CEC, by voting for different candidates, using different voting methods ! Server will allow him to proceed ONLY if he selects the SAME candidate ( XYZ ) , on his Mobile App
Ø A voter ( from the declared constituency ) can download the Mobile App ( only once ) , from the website of CEC , by filling in an online form where he will need to establish without doubt that , he is a genuine voter belonging to that particular constituency ( Voter ID – PAN – Aadhar – Sefie – Mobile No. etc ). Server will ensure that no one, other than a voter belonging to that particular constituency, will be able to download the App
Ø Voting data generated using Mobile App , shall NOT be published till the CEC declares the Winner based on EVM based voting ( no exit pole – no prejudging – no confusion – no mischief ! )
Ø However, once the Winner is declared , data from both methods of voting will be published on CEC website ( of course , without in any way, revealing the identity of any voter )
Ø The entire METHODOLOGY of “ Mobile Voting Sandbox “, must be widely publicized on CEC website / other Govt websites / Social Media sites / News Papers / TV channels etc., in order to establish its TRANSPARENCY / RELIABILITY among general public and among political parties.
Ø Govt may consider inviting comments / suggestions from public on CEC portal
Any suggestion re: conceptual frame-work for such a Mobile App ?
Ø Yes. Please refer to my following email : VotesApp ………18 Dec 2012
With Regards,
Hemen Parekh
www.HemenParekh.ai / 08 May 2024
Related Readings :
Reimagining democratic processes and the role of AI in modernizing voting systems.. ET.. 07 May 2024
Extract :
AI-powered voting systems, equipped with accessibility features such as voice-based interfaces and screen readers, ensure that individuals with disabilities can exercise their right to vote independently and securely.
No comments:
Post a Comment