Matryonina, K. Yu. The use of optical scan voting systems: protection from electoral fraud or a secret means for altering results?

Abstract: Electronic voting is a new and growing area of the electoral process and is therefore very topical. This article discusses a method of electronic voting which is actively applied in the territory of the Russian Federation – the optical scan voting system (KOIB in Russian). It analyses sociological surveys, expert opinions, and reports on the application of KOIB as well as considering the practice of using KOIB in the Tyumen region. The authors identify the main strengths and weaknesses of an automated system of voting and vote-counting. The following general methods of research were used: ontological, epistemological and dialectical research; comparative legal research; induction and deduction; synthesis and analysis. This original research is the first to consider in detail the advantages and disadvantages of KOIB based on social surveys and reports of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Russia. It also identifies possible causes of violations of Precinct Election Commission (PEC) instructions. The research shows that the use of KOIB has many advantages: quick ballot counting and determination of results, increased voter turnout due to the exclusion of the ‘human factor’, etc. However, the use of KOIB during elections leads to a large number of deficiencies also, most of which are related to the incompetence of PEC members and malfunctioning equipment. The article concludes that further development of e-voting systems is imperative, as is the improvement of KOIB and tougher requirements for PEC members.

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