Kaspersky, a leader in cybersecurity, has introduced a groundbreaking blockchain voting system designed to bring clear visibility to the election process, secure voter intentions, and prevent election rigging.
The firm asserts that by utilizing blockchain, the prototype surpasses conventional voting methodologies.
Kaspersky Introduces Innovative Blockchain Voting Device
According to a report As reported by Verdict on February 27, 2020, Kaspersky rolled out its pioneering blockchain voting machine using Polys, an advanced online system crafted by their Innovation Hub.
Discussing the benefits of digital voting, Roman Aleshkin from Polys noted:
“Listening to our clients, we've discerned the hurdles and inefficiencies they confront with traditional voting. Our experience with Polys shows that electronic voting can resolve many of these issues, broadening access for remote participants and boosting turnout particularly among younger voters.”
The analysis explained further, showing that each voter receives a unique QR code or token, enabling them to vote on Polys' blockchain-backed devices. Once cast, votes are encrypted, counted, and checkable by voters via the blockchain.
According to Kaspersky, this method eliminates the risk of multiple votes by one individual, reduces the number of electoral staff needed, shortens lines, and cuts costs.
While boosting voter engagement, especially during elections, this approach does have its drawbacks, as it requires devices like smartphones or computers and a robust internet connection, leaving some voters potentially unable to participate.
Acknowledging this issue, Aleshkin remarked:
“Closing physical polling stations entirely would prevent certain populations from voting, which is why our combination of voting machines with the online platform provides citizens choice in how they cast their votes—conveniently and transparently.”
Kaspersky also participated in a blockchain voting project in Volgograd, Russia, which saw over 82,000 voters engage.
DLT in Public Elections
Governments and associations worldwide are progressively trying out blockchain as a means to refine the electoral process—thanks to its clarity, speed, and cost-efficiency versus classical voting systems.
Back in 2018, Thailand's Democrat Party used Zcoin's blockchain for conduct its primary elections, where Zcoin affirmed that despite high voter turnout, results were published within 12 hours. expressed The Catalan government
is keen on adopting a DLT-based election system. trial In addition, Utah County worked with Tusk Philanthropies, championing mobile voting, to test a blockchain-powered system for its municipal elections in August 2019.
Former U.S. Democratic candidate Andrew Yang, a staunch advocate of crypto and blockchain, highlighted the need for coherent virtual currency regulations and blockchain adoption in the U.S.
Yang's campaign included a push for DLT-based voting systems, arguing the traditional queue system at polling stations is outdated; he further claimed that voting with blockchain this approach would decrease wait times, election fraud, while boosting voter participation.
Recently, the Singapore-based Association of Cryptocurrency Enterprises and Startups (ACCESS) declared plans to utilize employing blockchain in voting to ensure both transparency and voter anonymity.
Previously reported by Blockonomi, the botched Iowa caucus faced app-related mishaps, causing errors and delays, prompting some blockchain advocates to promote DLT as a remedy for electoral issues.
