Observing the operation of the remote electronic voting system (DEG) during the September elections, IT experts, representatives of Rostelecom and the Central Election Commission of Russia (CEC) discussed ideas for improving technology monitoring tools. The discussion on the proposed articles took place within the framework of the roundtable meeting of the technical working group at the Coordination Council for Public Control on Voting under the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation (OP RF). This was reported on the website of the Independent Public Monitoring Association.
Oleg Artamonov, co-chairman of the coordination council and head of the DEG regional election commission for the September 10 elections, who started the discussion, suggested discussing all ideas from IT experts based on the results of using the DEG. 2023.
Member of the Central Election Commission of Russia Anton Lopatin, on the eve of the start of the presidential campaign, emphasized that ensuring absolute confidence in the DEG is one of the priority tasks of the Central Election Commission.
“It is important to look for and develop tools by which DEGs can be easily observed and this will not require special technical knowledge, which is what we are moving towards,” he said.
Lopatin noted that before EDG-2023, experts sent about 70 proposals to the commission, and most of them were implemented.
The proposals received this time covered issues related to the status and functionality of observers, documentation, access to the blockchain node’s private secure channel, expanding the practice of using a “digital secure packet” and informing voters about how voting takes place. .
For example, roundtable participants discussed a proposal to consider the possibility of separating the status and procedures for the appointment of observers working remotely (at the observation portal) and in person (at TEC DEG facilities); According to Artamonov: it will expand the rights and opportunities of each observer group and increase the transparency of DEGs.
Experts also recommended considering the creation of the possibility of issuing protocols in electronic document format in the regulations on the procedure for conducting DEGs.
Additionally, experts suggested streamlining the procedure for observers to apply to the TEC DEG.
Meeting participants also mentioned the possibility of voter verification of the accuracy of the vote.
Oleg Artamonov summarized the results of the meeting: “All ideas will still be discussed, and by the end of the week we will try to combine them into a single document and send it to the Central Election Commission.”
Source: Gazeta
Emma Matthew is a political analyst for “Social Bites”. With a keen understanding of the inner workings of government and a passion for politics, she provides insightful and informative coverage of the latest political developments.