A conceptual model for designing and implementation Ofsecure and trustableremote electronic voting systems within the developing world

The use of electronic voting systems (EVS’s) is seen as an alternative to traditional manual

voting because it aims at increasing efficiency, lowering cost of running election, reducing

counting mistakes and improving the accuracy of the results. This has led to electronic voting

systems being adopted in most countries to replace traditional paper-based voting systems.

Currently, Botswana uses a traditional paper-based voting system. This method of voting

comes with several challenges. These challenges include delays in counting of votes and

counting errors due to manual counting, a high number of spoilt votes due to wrong markings,

and delays in the declaration of election results. These have resulted in voters losing

confidence in the current system thus leading to poor voter turnout.

This study therefore explores the feasibility of introducing and implementing of e-voting in

Botswana. This study adopted a mixed method to collect and analyze data using purposive

sampling technique to consciously select specific respondents, so as to gain insight from them

and an in-depth understanding of complex experiences or events. This technique was used to

select and administer questionnaires to IEC officers and voters.

The results indicate that respondents have a positive perception towards introduction and

implementation of remote e-voting in Botswana.They further indicated that introducing an evoting

system will bring several benefits such as improved voting process, reduced chances of

voting fraud, eliminate counting errors, as well as reduce delays in counting and publishing of

results. The majority of respondents have indicated that they are willing to use an e-voting

system compared to a traditional paper-based voting system. The outcome of this research’s

findings would form a basis for appropriate recommendation for introduction and

implementation of e-voting in Botswana.