We live in a world where systems are constantly changing and evolving, and new systems are created, all to make life better and easier for us. The internet is a visionary innovation that has paved the way for numerous other technological innovations, and by so doing, more opportunities are created for people and businesses. The blockchain technology is one technological innovation that has great potential, as apart from being the platform for the creation of cryptocurrencies, the blockchain which is an open ledger has been discovered to be very useful in the creation of other systems that enhance productivity. So many use cases of the blockchain technology have been discovered, and there are indications that the blockchain technology on its journey to going mainstream, will be used to facilitate online voting, which invariably means people will be able to vote online, using the blockchain technology. The blockchain is perfect for this because features like its transparency, decentralization, irreversibility, security, smart contracts, etc. will make it impossible for 3rd parties to alter or tamper with voting data on the blockchain network.
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When votes are cast in the form of transactions, the blockchain network will monitor and record the number of votes. By so doing, the final counts of votes can be can be done by anyone on the blockchain network, this will eliminate every form of manipulation or interference from 3rd parties on the system.
How Blockchain Works
The blockchain technology is designed such that there is a secure management of the database or the public ledger, where transactions get verified, then stored securely on the blockchain network. The blockchain operates through its management by a connection of nodes that are copied on the database. These nodes are basically a network of computers connected together to a network. The nodes will take data from the pool of transactions that are, and have not been added to the database yet, then the nodes do an analysis of the transactions taking place on the database, to ascertain their validity, based on the rules laid down and agreed upon by the network. After getting verified, the transactions get grouped and are transferred to the block database.
Voting
Currently, the traditional voting system has so many flaws and lapses, this is why votes are easily altered and manipulated, however, the introduction of the blockchain technology to the system has solved a lot of problems caused by these traditional voting systems. Here are some solutions the blockchain technology will bring:
- Interruption in the sequence of polling and market of the research sector by utilizing digital currencies and the blockchain technology.
- Accurate votes
- More individuals in the geo-location where the votes are held will be represented if there is cooperation.
- A much better insight into the political sector and how the use of technology in voting is as important as ever.
- Elimination of 3rd parties will result in a reduced cost on the platforms.
- Creating a link that will conquer social barriers
- Transparency, which will make it difficult for manipulations to happen.
The blockchain technology is a really big one, with a promising future. It has the features that can make it even more revolutionary than it already is.
Hopefully this system will be implemented in the near future although I doubt it will happen any time soon. There's a great article here about a voting system using the blockchain already, this could be just the start of it... https://blog.localcoinswap.com/ultimate-democracy-how-owning-part-of-the-exchange-empowers-every-user-and-might-one-day-change-the-way-the-world-is-run/?utm_source=bsx26
You know this has been my wish for a very long time. And I'm glad now that it looks like more and more countries are warming to the awesomeness and pure brilliance of Blockchain technology. I have been longing for an online voting system. That would be the ultimate for me. One thing I've always thought might be a problem was from the voters end, not so much from the controllers or political parties. You know, like how to prevent people from gaming the system and casting duplicate votes, or cheating the system in any way. But I think your second point takes care of this issue:
It would have to be bulletproof where no one person can vote twice, acting as two different people. I really can't wait for this technology to be implemented in my country.
How do i vote pls , i would love to but i do know were to start from , can plse let me know ,,, thanks
This is going to be so helpful i supppose, i doubt some governments will allow it. Especially here in africa where political leaders are taking advantage of the current trashy system. Looks like it would be a threat to the cheaters. Personally i support this voting, blockchain has come to solve problems involved in some politics.
I also don't think such system would be widely adopted