Sistema VOTESCRIPT: una propuesta innovadora desarrollada para resolver los problemas clásicos de votación electrónica

En este artículo se presenta la descripción global de un sistema de voto telemático basado en criptografía avanzada y en el empleo de tarjetas inteligentes (proyecto VOTESCRIPT), destacando las aportaciones de este nuevo sistema sobre propuestas anteriores. Para enmarcar el trabajo desarrollado se presenta una panorámica general de la votación electrónica y se señalan los condicionantes que estas experiencias comportan. Asimismo, se resumen otras versiones particulares de VOTESCRIPT (proyecto VERA) y se comentan las características de una prueba experimental llevada a cabo para evaluar la viabilidad de la propuesta

Planteamientos sobre Sistemas de Voto y Democracia Electrónica.

This paper present a preliminary analysis of electronic voting schemes and the requirements of Electronic Democracy as a part of the work carried out by the authors in the VOTESCRIPT project (TIC2000-1630-C02). A summary of the most relevant experiences on this field are discussed and a basic classification of them is pointed out, according to different degrees on process computerization. As it is shown, most of them only take into account a technological perspective, just trying to imitate the conventional voting schemes. A citizen-base bottom-up perspective is proposed to analyze the implementation of electronic voting systems in order to avoid citizen rejection. The paper also hallmarks the new technical possibilities created to be applied to the development of citizen?s right realm. Further than conventional voting schemes, the paper proposes the use of advanced security services to extend conceptualization of Electronic Democracy in which citizens have a key role on decision making processes

Votación electrónica basada en criptografía avanzada (Proyecto VOTESCRIPT).

Esta ponencia presenta un visión global de un esquema de voto electrónico desarrollado dentro del proyecto VOTESCRIPT, auspiciado por el ministerio español de Ciencia y Tecnología (TIC2000-1630-C02). En primer lugar se realiza una tipificación de los sistemas que pueden considerarse de votación electrónica, para analizar, a continuación, los sistemas más relevantes que se apoyan en criptografía avanzada y redes telemáticas. Se comenta el proceso de investigación multidisciplinar seguido para la determinación de los requisitos que debe cumplir el sistema de votación y se describe, de forma somera, las principales características del sistema desarrollado y su comportamiento global

VOTESCRIPT: Telematic voting system designed to enable final count verification

In this paper we present a global description of a telematic voting system based on advanced cryptography and on the use of smart cards (VOTESCRIPT system) whose most outstanding characteristic is the ability to verify that the tally carried out by the system is correct, meaning that the results published by the system correspond with votes cast. The VOTESCRIPT system provides an individual verification mechanism allowing each Voter to confirm whether his vote has been correctly counted. The innovation with respect to other solutions lies in the fact that the verification process is private so that Voters have no way of proving what they voted in the presence of a non-authorized third party. Vote buying and selling or any other kind of extortion are prevented. The existence of the Intervention Systems allows the whole electoral process to be controlled by groups of citizens or authorized candidatures. In addition to this the system can simply make an audit not only of the final results, but also of the whole process. Global verification provides the Scrutineers with robust cryptographic evidence which enables unequivocal proof if the system has operated in a fraudulent way