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Electronic Voting (E-voting)

E-voting is a method of voting via electronic means. Elections conducted electronically may become a possibility in the future. E-voting is different from online voting, where users vote over the Internet. Under the e-voting system, polling stations would be equipped with e-voting machines which are also known as Direct-Recording Electronic voting systems (DRE). The voter is required to touch the icon next to the intended party's symbol, on the screen, which would then be registered on paper and a receipt would be printed. The voter would then drop the receipt into a secured container for storage until the count.

The Parliamentary Elections (Amendment) Act 2001, which allows for Singapore citizens to participate in overseas voting, as well as the introduction of e-voting in Singapore was passed by Parliament on 20 April 2001. Various safety measures are specified in the amended Act to ensure total secrecy and security involved in the use of the DRE voting system. Details of the e-voting legislation can be found Act 19 of 2001. However this Act was further amended by Act 45 of 2001, as the government decided that there will be no overseas polling for the 2001 General Election due to security reasons. Nevertheless the amendments on e-voting in Singapore remain valid. The Elections Department has said that e-voting will go on trial in selected constituencies in the 2001 General Election. However, there are various on-going issues and concerns regarding the use of e-voting.

Advantages of e-voting
E-voting minimises the risk of ambiguities as the voter makes his choice by touching the screen. 
E-voting could also minimise the need for recounts as everything is tabulated by the computer.

Disadvantages of e-voting
E-voting is not as secret and secure as the present paper-ballot system. 
Electronic failures might occur with such a system. 
Other gerneration may not be comfortable in using the system. 

Which Countries practice e-voting
In the United States, several states such as Maryland, Arizona, Iowa, New Mexico, Florida, Washington and California have reviewed the options of e-voting. This method of voting has also been tried out in the UK, Brazil and The Netherlands. 



Author
Gabriel Tan



References 
Electronic voting: Boon or bane? (2001, March 31). The Straits Times, Home, p. 10. 

Electronic voting for Singapore. (2001, March 27). The Straits Times, Home, p. 12.

Kan Seng addresses concerns over e-voting. (2001, April 21). The Straits Times, Home, p. 4.

MPs voice concern over e-voting. (2001, April 20). The Straits Times, Home, p. 9.

Next GE will feature e-voting. (2001, April 22). The Straits Times, Home, p. 27.



The information in this article is valid as at 2001 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Politics and Government
Electronic voting--Singapore
Law and government>>Political process>>Elections



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