Is ‘e-voting’ a viable and sustainable option to use for UK Government elections rather than the current paper-based system?

seems that online voting for Government elections would present a straightforward solution to the problems many countries face with low voter turnout, manual errors in the physical counting of votes and relying on the postal system for overseas nationals.

Since the turn of the century, many highly advanced, populated countries have embraced e-voting. Most European countries have since returned to paper ballot systems.

Remember the definition of e-voting is “the application of electronic technology to cast and count votes in an election”. Most countries utilise ‘on site’ voting with advanced identity verification processes. Remote e-voting is in a much earlier stage of development and testing. If you consider this in your report you need to be clear on the differences between the two voting systems.

You are required to carry out a small research project and produce a research report.

The purpose of your research project is to answer the following research question:

“Is ‘e-voting’ a viable and sustainable option to use for UK Government elections rather than the current paper-based system?”

Your report should consider whether e-voting would present a fair, secure, accessible and reliable system for the UK at the present time by weighing up the potential risks and benefits.

You will need to produce an assignment plan for the research project and report before you begin.

The report should be written using the recommended format and structure as outlined in the study materials for this unit.

Relevant theory must be referenced, and you must provide a references list and bibliography.

A copy of any surveys or questionnaires used and/or transcripts of interviews must be included to evidence that primary research has taken place. The outcomes from the primary research must be presented using graphs, charts and/or tables and these must be included in the report.

The report should be a maximum of 3,000 words in length.
This word limit is the absolute maximum you are permitted. If you are over the word limit for this assignment in any way you will receive your assignment back without further comment or feedback.

You must submit your assignment plan for marking along with the research report.