Review of Related Literature

Foreign Literature and Study

Elections are too significant to be entrusted to machines with technical problems and
documented security. As the integrity of an electoral system is a fundamental bulwark
against corruption and the ability of organized groups within the community to misuse
democratic institutions for improper purposes (Smith, 2002). However, the surroundings
modernize and constantly changing, modifications of an electoral system also need to
be considered. According to Wikipedia (2007), polling place Internet voting or
electronic voting examples have taken place in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Estonia,
France, Germany, India, Italy, Namibia, Norway, Peru, Switzerland, the Netherlands
(Rijnland Internet Election System), the UK, Venezuela, and lastly the Philippines.

Electronic voting or Internet voting has a lot of benefits, one can provide improved
accessibility, faster counting and delivering of election results, increased trust in
elections as human error is avoided, increased voter turnout; especially when internet
voting is involved, cost reduction when applying e-Voting on multiple electoral events,
and reduced ballot waste (Smartmatic, 2021). Despite the advantages mentioned,
there are also downsides to the system. The cons of the electronic voting system should
be contemplated seriously by all concerned before taking any kind of random decision
on e-voting. These drawbacks namely: Vulnerability to hacking, Voter verified paper
audit trails, Accuracy in capturing voters’ intent, Political ties of manufacturers, Physical
security of machines, Secure storage of cast votes, Malicious software programming,
and Susceptibility to fraud (Drummond, n.d.). United States’ Computer security
researchers claimed that flaws in some electronic voting software could result in major
fraud (The Irish Times DAC, 2003). Electoral fraud can also have serious ramifications
for the government and also to the nation as a whole. Advanced technologies can both
assist and hinder those wishing to perpetrate electoral fraud. (100% unique)

A paper conducted by Russell G. Smith tests the effectiveness of electronic voting

against eight (8) essential requirements that any electoral process needs to satisfy in
order for elections to be conducted both fairly and freely in a modern civilization. These
eight (8) essential requirements are: timeliness, accessibility, secrecy, deliberation,
accuracy, security, authentication, and verifiability.

 Must have to record information and to have the results available quickly (timeliness)
- Computers were designed particularly to enable data to be recorded and
processed accurately and quickly. Consequently, they have the capacity to
analyze, record, and report the outcome of an election involving many millions of
voters in a matter of minutes, if not seconds (House of Representatives 1994, p.
20). A concerning difficulty is the rapid processing of votes relates to the data
 processing capacity of government servers and Internet service providers if an
entire population of electors chose to vote at much the same time.
 The system should be accessible to all and easy to use. (accessibility)
- If Internet voting were adopted, the logistical difficulties associated with postal
voting would be overcome as electors located anywhere in the globe would be
able to cast their vote in the same manner and at the same time (Mitchell 2000).
 The need to ensure secrecy of what takes place (secrecy) - except where open
elections are called for
-
 The need for voting to be undertaken seriously, after due deliberation (deliberation)
 The ability to ensure that each individual's vote is recorded and counted accurately
(accuracy)
 The need to guard against manipulation and interference with information once
recorded (security)
 The need to ensure that individuals cannot be impersonated (authentication)
 The need to verify what has taken place through the use of traceable information
trails (verifiability).

This paper examines the benefits that digital technologies have in achieving these
objectives, and considers whether they are able to do so better, in terms of meeting the
above objectives, than the procedures that operate at present. It also considers how
crime and corruption in the electoral process can be minimized through the use of
computerised voting procedures. In order to focus the discussion, this paper will
primarily examine parliamentary voting procedures within Australia, rather than voting in
private sector organisations and within parliamentary chambers.

Filipino’s and some people from the senate are not in favor of mail-in voting and even
say it’s the “easiest system of voting to cheat.” However, the Authority to Explore Other
Modes or Systems Using Automated Election System. According on Section 28 of
Republic Act No. 10590 "the Commission may explore other more efficient, reliable, and
secure modes or systems, ensuring the secrecy and sanctity of the entire process,
whether paper-based, electronic-based, or internet-based technology or such other
latest technology available, for onsite and remote registration and elections and submit
reports and/or recommendations to the Joint Oversight Congressional Committee." (HT
Digital Streams Limited, 2020) HT Digital Streams Limited. (2020, December 14). 4
election systems providers to present to Comelec various online voting
solutions. Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/4-election-
systems-providers-present-comelec/docview/2469750171/se-2?accountid=190472

Local Literature
Cyber-securing the 2022 Philippine elections
The authorities have been discussing to shift to mail-in voting system for the Philippine
General Elections to be held in May 2022. Whether it shifts to a mail-in voting system or
stick to an electronic voting system in the upcoming elections, it will involve the use of
electronic data processing systems which in turn come with their set of cyber security
risks. Such risks, if not properly managed, will leave our voting process quite vulnerable
to attack, thereby impacting the integrity of our voter registration data and systems, as
well as our election as a whole. (Sta. Ana, 2021) Sta. Ana, C. (2021, March 4). Cyber-
securing the 2022 Philippine elections. Retrieved from
https://www.pwc.com/ph/en/taxwise-or-otherwise/2021/cyber-securing-the-2022-
philippine-elections.html

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Smith, R. G. (2002, April 8). Electronic voting: benefits and risks. Retrieved from
https://www.aic.gov.au/publications/tandi/tandi224

Wikipedia. (2007, November 12). Electronic voting by country. Retrieved from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_voting_by_country

Drummond, J. (n.d.). Disadvantages of electronic voting. Retrieved from

https://publicissuescomp1220uwi.weebly.com/disadvantages-of-electronic- voting.html

Smartmatic. (2021, September 27). What is electronic voting and its

advantages? Retrieved from
https://elections.smartmatic.com/electronic-voting-advantages/

The Irish Times DAC. (2003, July 31). Electronic voting fraud risk: [CITY
EDITION]. Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/electronic-voting-
fraud-risk/docview/309597391/se-2?accountid=190472

Smith, R. G. (2002, April). Electronic voting: Benefits and risks. Woden:

Australian Institute of Criminology. Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/other-
sources/electronic-voting-benefits-risks/docview/189458721/se-2?accountid=190472