Blockchain-Based Voting Systems: Transparency And Trust

• Blockchain-based voting systems are more reliable, efficient, and transparent than the traditional system.
• It eliminates the chances of illegal activities during the voting.
• It reduces the efforts and resources invested in polling systems.

The blockchain-based voting system is a great concept for the digital election. It is based on blockchain technology and, hence, is beneficial and secure for the voting process. Illegal activities during polling, such as masking votes, etc., can be eliminated by the blockchain-based voting system. 

What Is Blockchain?

A blockchain is a computer file that is used for the storage of data or information. It has three major properties, which are distribution through duplication, cryptography, and openness. Distribution and openness say that the data is accessible to everyone; it gets duplicated from one computer to another. Cryptography means ‘secret writing,’ and accessibility doesn’t allow everyone to edit the data or information. 

It needs some codes that should be used before editing the data. Blockchain is structured through blocks, and blocks can be of any size based on the type of blockchain. The ‘value’ of the block depends on the data of the blockchain for which it is used to record. For example, it is Bitcoin in the case of blockchain currencies, transactional data such as the exchange of services and goods between different parties, etc. 

Blockchain technology was first developed for the Bitcoin cryptocurrency, which is decentralized and uses an encrypted blockchain model to track value exchange and ownership. But now, blockchain has many applications other than being a model system for cryptocurrencies. These applications include storing government records, tracking goods, smart contracts, tracking patient records, and verifying and tracking ownership of IPRs (Intellectual Property Rights).

What Are Blockchain-Based Voting Systems?

Blockchain-based voting systems are revolutionary as they reduce resources and efforts invested in polling stations, appoint staff, specify areas and prevent security risks at polling stations. A digital election with the help of blockchain saves money and reduces the risk of inequity in the voting process. Blockchain technology is beneficial and very secure if used carefully. It has benefits based on reliability, transparency, and enhanced traceability of transactions. 

The data is stored in a decentralized manner on a blockchain, which is constantly in verification mode. Blockchain technology is a threat-proof and reliable system to be used as a private ledger in the voting system. It doesn’t require any voting machines or physical modules, which have a chance of being cyber-attacked through tampering devices. It is more secure and transparent than any other database. 

The only reason for using blockchain in the voting system is to eliminate vote tampering and the casting of ghost votes. It maintains the integrity of the votes stored in the systems. It eliminates the dependency of the voting system on the middlemen, helps save resources and prevents human errors. 

Conclusion

Hence, blockchain-based voting systems may prove very beneficial because they can save money, time, and labor. It reduces the chances of illegal activities that happen during the time of polling, as in this case, data will be stored in the system. The system will be decentralized, reducing the burden on central authorities.