Polling Stations Research Articles

Commemorating local victims of past atrocities and far-right support over time

Does public remembrance of past atrocities lead to decreased support for far-right parties today? Initiatives commemorating past atrocities aim to make visible the victims and crimes committed against them. This runs counter to revisionist actors who attempt to downplay or deny atrocities and victims. Memorials for victims might complicate such attempts and reduce support for revisionist actors. Yet, little empirical evidence exists on whether that happens. In this study, we examine whether exposure to local memorials that commemorate victims of atrocities reduces support for a revisionist far-right party. Our empirical case is the Stolpersteine ("stumbling stones") memorial in Berlin, Germany. It commemorates victims and survivors of Nazi persecution in front of their last freely chosen place of residence. We employ time-series cross-sectional analyses and a discontinuity design using a panel dataset that matches the location and date of placement of new Stolpersteine with the election results from seven elections (2013 to 2021) at the level of polling station areas. We find that, on average, the presence of Stolpersteine is associated with a 0.96%-point decrease in the far-right vote share in the following election. Our study suggests that local memorials that make past atrocities visible have implications for political behavior in the present.

Enhancing Democratic Integrity: The Crucial Role of Election Supervision in Barru's 2020 Regional Head Elections

Elections typically include infractions, thus Bawaslu was created to regulate the process and make elections more democratic. Bawaslu oversees and reduces general election infractions. Supervision evaluates if an activity is being executed as planned. The supervision equivalent of Das Sollen (plans) must match Das Sein (reality). According to this survey, the Bawaslu of Barru Regency has performed oversight well. (1) Bawaslu observed the Barru Regency regional head election from candidate selection to voting at sub-district and polling stations. Inspection Bawaslu examined indicators till he found head election breaches. The Bawaslu guidance and direction indicators help candidates and voters determine the extent of violations in the regional head election. Indicators Following up on Barru district regional head election breaches, Bawaslu took disciplinary action. This study's corrective action indicator is the Bawaslu's review to reduce violations in the head of blood election next year. (2) The COVID-19 epidemic, human resource quality, regulations, and community engagement affect Bawaslu supervision in regional head elections.

Integration process with the officials of a board of director of the box of the National Electoral Institute

With this investigation, the objective was to know the integration process with the other officials on an electoral day so that Mexicans know that activities they should carry out if they receive the assignment of President of a Polling Station for an election day.

Analysis of Polling Station Supervisor Recruitment (Ptps) in Kecamatan Welcome to The 2020 Samarinda Mayor and Vice Mayor Elections

This study aims to determine the Recruitment and Selection of Polling Station Supervisors in the Welcome District in the 2020 Samarinda Mayor and Vice Mayor Elections and their supporting and inhibiting factors. The type of research used in this study is qualitative research. Sampling technique with purposive sampling technique. For data collection techniques, including 1) In-depth interviews, 2) Observation participation, and 3) Documentation studies. As for data analysis techniques, namely Miles and Huberman's interactive model data analysis techniques. The results of the study showed: 1) The screening carried out by the Panwaslu of the Welcome District for Prospective TPS Supervisors in the Welcome District, in this case, is related to the completeness of administrative files, such as Application Forms, Statement Letters, e-KTP, K.K., Diplomas, and other supporting documents. The screening of TPS Supervisory Candidates is more about the material aspect, where the Recruitment Committee examines the files of TPS Supervisory Candidates in the TWelcome District in more depth. Most of the deaths of polling station supervisory candidates in the TWelcome sub-district are due to ties with fellow election organizers, such as their husbands/wives also being KPPS, being involved as members of political parties, the team of one of the candidates, and the e-KTP concerned has been recorded as supporting independent candidates. In the process of selecting TPS Supervisory Candidates in TWelcome District who will later be assigned as TPS Supervisors at 122 polling stations spread across Sambutan District, some of the essential assessment indicators are experience in elections, understanding of election regulations, and being able to apply for the Siwaslu program. Supporting Factors in the Recruitment of Polling Place Supervisors (PTPS) in the 2020 Samarinda Mayor and Deputy Mayor Elections, namely 1) High public interest and interest to be involved in elections, primarily registering to become a Polling Station Supervisor in Welcome District and 2) The growing use of electronic media facilitates information related to Polling Station Supervisor Recruitment in Sambutan District. The Inhibiting Factors in the Recruitment of Polling Station Supervisors (PTPS) in the 2020 Samarinda Mayor and Deputy Mayor Elections, namely 1) The situation and conditions of Covid-19 make people reluctant to do activities in crowded places, 2) Most people who have an interest in becoming polling station supervisors must be aborted because the e-KTP concerned has been recorded as an independent person supporter, 3) Most people who have an interest in becoming polling station supervisors must be dropped because they do not meet the qualifications in terms of age and education level, and 4) The Welcome District Panwaslu must compete with the Welcome District Election Committee (PPK) and Candidate Pairs, because at the same time, the KDP recruits the Voting Organizing Group (KPPS), even numbering 7 (seven) people per polling station, plus the Prospective Spouse who recruits his Witnesses.

Evaluation of the Fulfillment of Political Rights for Persons with Disabilities to Welcome the 2024 General Election

2024 is the year of simultaneous general elections. All citizens can participate, and every vote counts, including that from people with disabilities. This paper aims to determine the fulfilment of the political rights of persons with disabilities in general elections in Bengkulu City to welcome the general elections to be held simultaneously in 2024. This legal paper used an empirical method with a qualitative approach by collecting primary data from persons with disabilities in Bengkulu City. In-depth interviews were used to find out the fulfilment of the political rights of persons with disabilities in the general elections in Bengkulu City. This paper concludes that the political rights of persons with disabilities in elections in Bengkulu City had not been fulfilled optimally. These rights included the rights to (i) be registered to cast a vote, (ii) access polling stations (TPS), (iii) cast their votes confidentially, (iv) receive information, including information about the elections, and (v) take part in elections. This was because the organizers, namely KPU, failed to play their role optimally. They failed because they had limited funding and persons with disabilities themselves were self-isolating and did not know their political rights.

Slovenia: Political Developments and Data in 2022

AbstractIn 2022, voters in Slovenia were invited several times to the polling stations, starting with the National Assembly elections in spring, followed by presidential and local elections. In addition, three nationwide referenda were held in November. The National Assembly elections saw the victory of a newly established party and the appointment of yet another political newcomer to the position of Prime Minister. Only five parties managed to pass the parliamentary threshold, the smallest number since the country's democratic transition. The centre‐left coalition government was formed by three parties. Many reforms were promised to be prepared by the new government, including a revitalisation of democracy after several years of democratic backsliding, along with a promise that those in public office will behave differently. The new government formed in June enjoyed high public support in 2022, and by the end of the year, 45 per cent of voters assessed its work as (very) positive.

Estonian experience of electronic voting: prospects of implementation in Ukraine

The paper examines the Estonian experience of electronic voting and reveals the prospects for the introduction of the Estonian model of Internet voting in Ukraine. The author investigated the procedure for conducting electronic voting in Estonia, the legal, organizational and technical aspects of its implementation, as well as the positive features of the implementation of electronic voting. On the basis of the conducted scientific research, the author came to the conclusion that when implementing electronic voting, it would be appropriate to use the Estonian experience, including regarding voting within a certain time before the voting date at the polling station, the possibility of changing the vote before the end of the time allocated for voting, priority of voting at the polling station over internet voting in case the voter voted using both forms of voting. It is also necessary to develop appropriate software that would use the performance of the i-Voting system, possibly based on the Diya mobile application and the Diya internet portal. For this purpose, it will be expedient to make appropriate changes to the Election Code of Ukraine, taking into account the provisions of Art. 116 of the Law of Ukraine "On the All-Ukrainian Referendum". The measures listed above will contribute to the implementation of e-democracy in Ukraine, especially in the context of the impossibility of creating polling stations in many regions of Ukraine, which are currently occupied or war zones, given the significant destruction of infrastructure, the temporary relocation of the majority of the population of the respective regions to other regions. The implementation of the electronic voting system would solve some of these problems that may arise during the next parliamentary and presidential elections in Ukraine.

From Warlords to Politicians: Transforming Rebel Movements Into Political Parties

Over the past few decades, African countries have faced a new phenomenon in political life – the ascent to power of former warlords – leaders of insurgent anti-government movements or tribal militias, who become presidents, vice presidents, prime ministers and members of parliament. Warlords seek to translate their wartime gains into material wealth and social status and gain political office to consolidate their military exploits. To achieve this, they employ many different strategies: transforming their armed groups into political parties, joining existing political organizations, establishing totally new parties, or conducting individual political activity. In societies where power is accumulated through the expansion of social networks – political, economic, military, ethnic, religious, regional, etc. – it becomes extremely useful for a politician to play several leadership roles. Access to various networks allows leaders to expand their base of support: this partly explains why African political elites are represented not only by politicians, but also by businessmen, priests, football players and former warlords. Since most African countries since independence have been in a constant transition from authoritarian to “democratic” governance, from public sector dominance to liberal economies, from limited violence to large-scale warfare, elites have constantly had to invent new roles for themselves in order to maintain political power. If they were unable to achieve the transformation that the situation required, they risked becoming marginalized figures. In this sense, recent warlords intuitively felt it inadvisable to distance themselves from their past wartime activities. Depending on the audience and circumstances, they either emphasized their former merits as field commanders, or, on the contrary, diligently portrayed themselves as vigorous peacemakers. The literature on peacebuilding and post-war reconstruction, with rare exceptions, ignores such an important aspect as the influence of former warlords on post-conflict electoral processes, focusing almost exclusively on organizational issues, the level of effectiveness of state institutions, intra- and inter-party struggles, methods of ensuring security, and the degree of readiness of polling stations. The present paper aims at filling this gap.

Specificity and Consequences of Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on the 2020 Local Election in Ukraine

The article examines the peculiarities of impact of the coronavirus pandemic on electoral process and voting results on the example of 2020 local elections in Ukraine. Using the complex of general scientific, logical and empirical methods, the peculiarities and problems of holding elections to local self-government bodies of Ukraine in 2020, which took place in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been emphasized, that Ukrainian authorities didn’t follow the path of most foreign countries and decided not to postpone the date of local elections in 2020. Instead, the main accent was put on the use of special mechanisms of protection for Ukrainian citizens from the spread of coronavirus infection during the process of holding local elections. The authors prove, that the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t have a significant negative impact on 2020 local elections in Ukraine and didn’t cause major violations, which would question the legitimacy and democracy of election procedures. At the same time, the lowest voter turnout was mainly caused by the pandemic: almost a third of Ukrainian voters did not appear at the polling stations precisely for reasons related to the pandemic. It is also outlined, that during the 2020 local elections in Ukraine, a row of other negative factors of impact on electoral process and its quality (except of the factors directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic) appeared: in particular, the problems with financial provisions for introducing special measures for voting during the COVID-19 pandemic; changing election rules (adopting the Electoral Code) on the eve of local elections; insufficient state information policy regarding the clarification of the peculiarities of holding elections under the new electoral system in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

PIWS: Private Intersection Weighted Sum Protocol for Privacy-Preserving Score-Based Voting With Perfect Ballot Secrecy

This article proposes private intersection weighted sum (PIWS), a scalable, fair, and privacy-preserving intersection weighted sum protocol and applies it to voting scenarios. The PIWS protocol can privately calculate the intersection of identity index sets maintained by each participant and can privately calculate the weighted sum of the data associated with the identity indexes of the intersection set. After the execution of the protocol, both parties can only know the weighted sum, but not any additional information, such as any identity index or associated data of the other party. The PIWS protocol is very suitable for the privacy-preserving weighted voting scenarios and has three novel characteristics. First, it does not require as many semitrusted tally clerks as other protocols, which greatly reduces the deployment, communication, and calculation costs involved. It only requires the distributed deployment of voting servers and weight servers that are honest but curious. This is consistent with the deployment framework of the future big data application backgrounds. Second, perfect privacy protection and ballot secrecy are achieved. That is, the voting terminal or polling station provides encryption services for ballots immediately after each ballot is cast. All voting information is then expressed in ciphertext throughout the weighting and counting processes, until the final result of the weighted vote is passed to the voting server in the ciphertext. After decryption, the voting server only knows the results of the voting and it has no knowledge of the content or preference of the ballots, the privacy of the voters, or even the process of counting the votes. This design avoids the disclosure of voter privacy and ballot information, and the ciphertext form also prevents malicious users from cheating or tampering with voter or ballot information during the counting process. To better explain the security of our protocol, we present the provable security of the protocol under the honest-but-curious model and show the formal verification obtained using the Tamarin prover software. Third, our protocol not only achieves the function of an optional weighted voting protocol but also is relatively lightweight and efficient. The efficiency analysis results of the deployed voting system in terms of communication, storage, and calculation show that the protocol meets the requirements applicable to real-world applications. In summary, PIWS is superior to existing voting protocols in terms of function, security, and efficiency, and can be harmoniously applied to model updating of federated learning, consensus building of blockchain systems, or decision-making in artificial intelligence.

E-Voting System Using Blockchain

Abstract: The introduction of online voting has revolutionized the electoral process, providing a secure and convenient way for people to cast their votes without having to be physically present at polling stations. However, traditional online voting systems are still susceptible to security and integrity issues, such as hacking and tampering. Blockchain technology provides a solution to these problems by offering a decentralized and immutable ledger that can ensure the security and transparency of online voting. In this paper, we propose an online voting system using blockchain technology, which is designed to provide a secure and transparent voting process.

FACTORS OF ELECTORAL (NON) PARTICIPATION OF CITIZENS IN THE CONTEXT OF RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY

The article is devoted to the study of the factors of electoral (non)participation of citizens in the context of the theory of rational choice. The author pays the main attention to the variables that make it possible to calculate the potential effectiveness of voting for a particular citizen, including the probability of the decisive vote, benefits from voting, and losses from voting. The author emphasizes that, according to the theory of rational choice, citizens make simple calculations to determine whether it is appropriate to vote, taking into account the abovementioned variables. According to the model of rational choice, for the vast majority of citizens, voting is completely irrational, since the weight of one vote is insignificant, the benefits of voting are negligible, and the costs are quite significant. However, most voters spend the resources to show up at the polling station on polling day and cast their own single vote for their preferred candidate. In this case, the paradox of voting arises and the limitations of the theory of rational choice are revealed. The author highlights that several additions or variations of the theory have been presented by the scientific community. In particular, among them, the positive decision to vote is explained by the desire to support the functioning of democratic processes; a sense of civic duty; a desire to minimize maximum losses; faith in the decisive vote; mobilization efforts of politicians; minimal expenses for the voter; a conviction that calculations are impractical. Each amendment is characterized by both advantages for understanding electoral behavior in the context of the theory, and disadvantages, which often come down to ignoring the fundamental variables of the theory and giving the psycho-emotional factor an exceptionally prominent place. The author points out that a reassessment of the initial values of the theory, namely the probability that the single vote will become decisive and the cost of the spent voter`s resources, can lead to a completely new interpretation of the theory and scientific results.

Online Voting System Using Blockchain Technology

Abstract: An online voting system that utilizes blockchain technology is a promising solution for conducting elections in a secure and transparent manner. The decentralized and distributed nature of the blockchain ledger ensures that every vote is recorded accurately and cannot be tampered with or altered without detection. This is because every node on the blockchain network has a copy of the ledger, making it virtually impossible to manipulate election results. One of the biggest advantages of blockchainbased voting systems is that they allow voters to cast their ballots from anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection. This makes voting more accessible and convenient for people who might have difficulty getting to a polling station. Additionally, blockchain technology allows for the verification of voter identity and prevents double voting, ensuring that every vote is legitimate and counted accurately. Another benefit of blockchain-based voting systems is their resistance to cyber attacks. The decentralized nature of the blockchain network makes it extremely difficult for hackers to compromise the system, as they would need to gain control of a majority of the nodes on the network. Additionally, the transparent nature of blockchain-based voting systems makes them more trustworthy and helps to prevent voter fraud.

Online Voting System using Face Recognition and OTP

Abstract: An online voting system is a proposed solution to the challenges faced by traditional voting systems. This project aims to develop an efficient and secure online voting system that uses face recognition technology and one-time password to authenticate the identity of voters and prevent fraudulent activities. The system's user-friendly interface and advanced security features make it accessible and trustworthy for all voters, including those who cannot physically attend polling stations. The project will use Python programming language and various libraries such as OpenCV and NumPy for image processing and Haar Cascade Algorithm for face detection and recognition. The system will be tested extensively to ensure its effectiveness and prevent potential issues. The proposed system has the potential to revolutionize the voting process and make it more efficient, accessible, and secure for all citizens.

Review Study of E-Voting System Based on Smart Contracts Using Blockchain Technology

Voting is an important procedure in democratic societies in different countries, including Iraq. Electronic voting (E-voting) is becoming more prevalent due to reducing administrative costs and burdens. E-voting systems have many restrictions that affect the electoral process. For example, fraud, tampering with ballot boxes, taking many hours to announce results, and the difficulty of reaching polling stations. Over the last decade, blockchain and smart contract technologies have gained widespread adoption in various sectors, such as cryptocurrencies, finance, banking, and most notably in e-voting systems. If utilized properly, the developer demonstrates properties that are promising for their properties, such as security, privacy, transparency, and decentralization. Moreover, these technologies allow citizens to vote wherever they are via digital technology (computers, smartphones). This paper explains the nature of blockchain and smart contracts and systematically reviews several important e-voting studies. Comparative analysis is conducted on recent related papers in the last five years (published in highly ranked journals and international conferences) regarding blockchain types, frameworks, security requirements, and the implemented algorithms.

Older and still voting? A mixed-methods study of voting amongst the older old in Europe and in the North-West of England

Abstract The implications of an ageing population for democracy are far reaching, however, older people are often treated as a homogenous group. This article used survey data from 29 countries across Europe, alongside qualitative interviews with the older old (people aged 70 and older) in the North-West of England (United Kingdom). The findings suggest that voting declines amongst the older old and women aged 85 and older were less likely to report having voted compared to men in the same age group. Older women aged 85 and older were also less likely to feel that people like them could have an influence on politics. In terms of a sense of the future, having grandchildren was associated with the likelihood of reporting having voted, but being older than the country average life expectancy was not. The interviews with the older old in the North-West of England revealed that many could remember the first time they had voted and its lasting personal significance. However, many also described becoming politically disengaged in their late old age. Older people also reported barriers to voting, including difficulties in accessing polling stations and in using postal voting. There was a desire amongst the older old to see more young people voting and frustration about their lack of interest, including amongst their own children and grandchildren. This suggests a concern for democracy and future generations. As the population ages and people are living longer, it is important to develop the understanding of voter turnout amongst the older old at different ages and the barriers they can face.

Theme duties of the electoral bodies in the Republic of Moldova: current problems

This article represents an analysis of the powers held by the electoral bodies of the Republic of Moldova during the elections. The categories of attributions are established, as well as the type of electoral bodies that directly manage the electoral process. Also highlighted is the role of polling station offices, electoral constituencies, but also the role of the Continuous Training Center in the Electoral Field attached to the Central Electoral Commission in training electoral officials.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind? Electoral Responses to the Proximity of Health Care

Do voters reward incumbents for the provision of public services? In this article, we study the political economy of catchment areas of public services to answer this question. Rather than examining the binary relationship between health care provision and electoral returns within politically defined borders, we study whether increases in geographic accessibility of health care providers and decreases in congestion in services attract votes for the incumbent. Leveraging a health care reform in Turkey, which substantially impacted the geospatial distribution of public health clinics in Istanbul, we find that decreases in walking time and improvements in congestion levels in the closest clinic from a polling station significantly increase vote share of the AKP, the incumbent party, at that polling station. We also show that poorer communities were more responsive to improvements in spatial accessibility to the local clinics.

The perspectives of people with intellectual disabilities on their experience of voting in UK general elections

People with intellectual disabilities' voting rate within the United Kingdom remains significantly below the population average despite government enacted voting promotion measures. No published academic literature directly involves people with intellectual disabilities when considering their UK general election experiences - this study aims to address this omission. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with people with intellectual disabilities (N= 20) about their election experiences during the 2017 (n= 18) and 2019 (n= 8) general elections. Six participants were interviewed around both elections. Data was analysed with template analysis. Eight themes were produced - election information, political knowledge, political opinions, voting choice process, polling station experience, voting outcome, capacity and support. Theme interactions impacted on election experiences. While acknowledging diverse experiences, voting outcomes and experiences were particularly impacted by factor interactions concerning election information and/or polling station accessibility, capacity and support. Voting promotion interventions and future research should consider these areas.

Postal Voting In the 2020 Presidential Election – How Did Electoral Participation Evolved During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Issues related to electoral participation are extremely complex, not least because of the different approaches of researchers to the issue. The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to specialists, lawyers, political scientists addressing the issue of electoral participation in the context of public health risks and the implementation of the principle of universality of elections.
 In order to provide greater guarantee of the principle of universality, many countries are introducing additional forms of voting in elections other than voting at the polling station. Postal voting is one of the alternative voting methods that appears to be the most popular in terms of participation in elections. It exists in different forms in different countries. In Poland, in 2020, there were attempts to implement all-postal voting at first, and then – after the second elections were held – it was decided to use hybrid voting.
 The aim of this article is to analyze the Polish experience with postal voting in 2020 in the context of the implementation of this tool during the pandemic.