Voting System

About Online Voting System (OVS)

It aims to revolutionize the electoral process by enhancing user experience through a simplified voting procedure, bolstering public trust with increased transparency and security, and improving accountability via tamper-resistant blockchain technology. By increasing accessibility, it has the potential to boost voter participation. This initiative sets a new standard for electronic voting systems, addressing the needs of an increasingly digital society while maintaining democratic integrity. Upon successful implementation, this system could serve as a model for electoral modernization efforts both within Bhutan and internationally, underscoring the nation’s commitment to democratic principles and technological innovation. Ultimately, this project represents a significant step forward in ensuring secure, efficient, and accessible elections for all citizens.
Core Components of OVS
Digital Readiness of Voters: To participate in the digital voting process, voters must be equipped with a digital wallet application. This wallet should contain essential identity and address credentials necessary for voter verification. In the second phase of implementation, voters will be granted the ability to “Revoke” their vote and recast it, providing flexibility in the voting process.

Voter Verification Process: The verification process begins when voters scan a secure QR code provided on the Election Portal. They are then required to provide key personal details for identity verification from their wallet. The OVS verifies the voter’s eligibility by matching their permanent address details against the list of ongoing elections provided by ECB. The OVS also checks whether a vote has already been cast. If a vote has been cast but no Voter Credential (VC) has been issued, as confirmed by checking the ECB Agent Issue database, the voting details are reissued to the user. If no vote has been cast, the system generates an election ballot and displays it on the touch screen based on the voter’s permanent address location.

Voting Mechanism: Voters are presented with an election ballot containing a list of candidates and can initiate the voting process through a secure touch screen interface provided by ECB. The VCS confirms voter identity through biometric liveness test before a vote can be cast. If authentication is successful, the vote is securely recorded on the Polygon blockchain, storing only three key data items: the date and time, the vote itself, and the “salt” for that specific election. In case of authentication failure, voters are allowed to retry the process.

Credential Management: Upon successful participation in an election, voters are issued digital credentials in the form of a Verifiable Credential (VC) to confirm the voter’s identity and voting status. A voter can participate in multiple elections over time and receive a VC for each, which will be stored in their digital wallet for reference and proof.