Bahrain Information Technology Society (BITS) Directorate of Elections & Referendum at Kingdom of Bahrain conducted the Bahrain eVoting Forum on Jan 24 and 25, 2006
Many international case studies were highlighted at the forum, while academicians and university professors presented their findings and IT solution providers focused on IT solutions. The Kingdom of Bahrain has some experience in utilizing ICT in the municipality and parliamentary elections in 2002. ID verification and registration of candidates and voters was done through a centralized computerized system. Moreover, a real voting mechanism was introduced by using the touch-screen technology in the national referendum in the same year, including the counting of votes in some voting centres. Mr. Nezar Maroof, a Board Member of Bahrain Information Technology Society (BITS) and Bahrain eVoting Forum Executive Member, sheds light on this major eGovernance experience in this interview.
What has been your experience in eVoting? BITS has selected eVoting as a priority area, because the issue has acquired major importance as the whole area is witnessing pro-democracy reforms. We believe IT has a key role to play in this switchover to democracy. We call it eDemocracy.
What was the feedback from the users? Events like the Bahrain eVoting Forum provide an ideal platform for receiving feedback. We are calling all concerned bodies to join us and discuss the issue, with the active involvement of our speakers and presenters. We know the issue is very debatable. This event will allow us to assess people’s opinion and raise aware- ness about eDemocracy in society.
How do you evaluate the eVoting? As IT experts, we strongly believe in ICT solutions, provided proper infrastructure and readiness has been created. eVoting is not far from that concept and we think it should help.
What about Security Threats? Security is a major aspect that needs to be considered at all levels. There are many security layers which can be enabled to increase and maximize transparency and security. No one can say that we can achieve 100% security; however, the same is applicable even for conventional voting processes.
Are there any objections to eVoting from the Opposition parties? eVoting is still a debatable issue. That is why, we are showcasing case studies from all over the world, highlighting real eVoting experience, including the Estonia local elections and Swiss projects. We will learn about the advantages, disadvantages and concerns through real experiences.
Who are your technology Partners? Several solutions providers presented their advanced systems, with real-life demonstrations of the use of technology.
What about the eVoting from citizens outside the Kingdom? The matter of conducting real eVoting is left for our government and all related bodies to decide. BITS is just proposing and calling for awareness to be increased. We are not the body to make decisions on eVoting to be adopted in the next election or whether citizens living outside the Kingdom should be allowed to vote.
Do you believe we need eVoting to achieve greater democracy? Well, eVoting has some good advantages, for example enabling citizens living outside to exercise their franchise in an easy way, such as the Internet, or through tele-voting. Also citizens with special needs will also be able to practice their right easily.
Will eVoting be restricted to elections only or can it be used as a tool to enhance citizens’ participation in public policy and decision making? eVoting can be utilized in many areas, for example elections, opinion polls as well as helping and supporting decision makers and/or as part of decision support systems (DSS).
How did you enable the citizens to accept the new tool? What marketing tools did you use? Simply by raising awareness and asking IT auditing firms to endorse the project by having a full inspection of the systems, including source codes. Here, we would like to mention that the Kingdom of Bahrain has made available its eVoting experience with others. A full software package was distributed at the Global IT summit in Tunis 2005.
Do you think the Middle East is ready for such technology? Definitely. The world has become a small village! Having the right tools and implementation will make the Middle East ready.
Do you believe that eVoting will put an end to election frauds? Transparency and democratic principles are vital. Once the democratic temperament sets in, real democracy will prevail, irrespective of the voting methodology used.
Nezar Maroof, a Board Member of Bahrain Information Technology Society (BITS) and Bahrain eVoting Forum Executive Member
