DESIGN & IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEM
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the challenges as limitations to the current electoral system in Nigeria’s democracy, proffering possible way forward. The flawed electoral process of the last two Presidential elections equally calls for technology- enabled solutions to this social malaise which could lead to chaos and anarchy if nothing is done to forestall this electoral menace in future elections. Electoral fraud perpetuated in the cause of political activities including pre-election and post-elections periods such as multiple registration, invalid voter’s register, multiple voting, poor organization of electoral process, violence, ballot stuffing and snatching, logistic and administrative constraints. This paper takes critical steps to addressing these numerous elections vices in Nigeria’s electoral system, with the aim to provide a viable option that would ensure credible, fair and genuinely acceptable elections in the country, in the foreseeable future. An IT-driven voting, otherwise known as e-voting has been developed for implementation in this study. This study discusses the design and implementation of an electronic voting system database application with WAMP SERVER. It also discusses the issues of selecting appropriate database model, interface design, system deployment and maintenance. A projection of record growth in relation to student population and system requirement was carried out in the study. Finally, it discusses the applicability of the system in academic institutions. The Programming language used in developing this application is Visual Basic.net 2012. It runs in Windows 98 to Latest windows 8.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Electronic voting system (EVS) also known as e-voting is a term encompassing several different types of voting embracing both electronic means of counting votes. Electronic voting technology can include punched cards, optical scan voting systems and specialized voting kiosks (including self contained direct-recording electronic voting systems or DRE). It can also involve transmission of ballots and votes via telephones, private computer networks, or the internet. Generally, the major approaches towards achieving an effective on line electronic.
VOTING SYSTEM (EVS)
· Scope of E-voting system
· Specifies the system requirements
· Specifies the participating parties of the system and describes their roles,
· Specifies the architecture of the E-voting system, the general description of the functionally, protocols and algorithms,
· Analyses and describes possible security of hazards & examines the compliance of the system to security requirements.
1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY
The Federal Republic of Nigeria. Nigeria is a Federal constitutional republic comprise thirty-six states and its Federal capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the West, Chad and Cameroon in the South lies on the Gulf of Guinea on the Atlantic Ocean. The three largest and most influential ethnic groups Nigeria are the Hausas, Igbo and Yoruba in terms of religion Nigeria is roughly split half and half between Muslims and Christians with a very small Minority who practice traditional religions.
Nigeria elects on Federal level, a head of state the President and a legislature (The National Assembly). The President is elected by the people. The national Assembly has two chambers. The House of Representative has 360 member elected for a four year term in single-seat constituencies. The senate has 109 member elected for a four years term each of the 36 states are divided into 3 senatorial districts, each of which is represented by one senator, the Federal capital Territory represented by only one senator.
Nigeria made up of thirty-six (36) states with 774 local governments.
In the Local Governments they have the chairman and the Counselor, the state governed by the Governors and the Local Government by the chairman and counselors and there are all elected by the people of the state.
That is to say that there are about 2054 elective positions in Nigeria.
1 President
360 House of Representatives
109 Senators
36. States Governors
774 Local Government Chairman
774 Local Government Counselors
1.2 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
1. An electronic voting system (EVS) will require being very precise or cost cutting to produce an effective election management system.
2. Therefore crucial points that this (EVS) emphasizes on are listed below.
3. Require les number of staff during the election.
4. This system is a lot easier to independently moderate the elections and subsequently reinforce its transparency and fairness.
5. Less capital, les effort, and less labour intensive, as the primary cost and effort will focus primarily on creating, managing, and running a secure online was looting portal.
6. Increased number of voters as individual will find it easier and more convenient to vote, especially in western societies where life is a lot more regimented and programmed.
1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objective is to produce a computer-based tutor that will guide voting in Nigeria which can speed the counting of ballots and can provide improved accessibility for disable voters, it will also provide transparency; mitigate all challenge that may be experienced in setting up polling booths dealing with ballot boxes, and any counting deficiencies, and a host of others issues. Having proper fire-walls installed it is aimed at eliminating the abnormalities and error in the existing system. It also aims at reducing the crime and fraudulence activities encountered with the old voting existing system in Nigeria.
1.4. SCOPE OF STUDY
It is focused on studying the existing system of voting in Nigeria and to make sure that the peoples vote is counts, for fairness in the elective positions. This is also will produce.
· Less effort and less labour intensive, as the primary cost and focus primary on creating, managing, and running a secure web voting portal.
· In creasing number of voters as individuals will find it easier and more convenient to vote, especially in western society were life is a lot more regimented and programmed.
1.5. LIMITATION OF STUDY
Time factor, which is the greatest barrier to the successful completion of this exercise, I had financial constraints to traveling. The school is also a barrier to permission for exit to get my materials for this project.
1.6. DEFINITION OF TERM
EVS – On line electronic voting system
E-voting - Electronic Voting
INEC - Independent National Electoral Commission
EVR - Electronic Voter Register
PU - Polling Unit
ICT- Information and communication Technology
ECIL- Federal Election Commission
ES & S - Election systems & software
VVPAT- vote verifiable paper audit trails
PEB- Personal Electronic Ballot
PIN- Personal Identity Number
MBB- Mobile Ballot Box
JBC- judges Booth Controller
