Foresight on Holding Elections Based on Blockchain Technology

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Public and International Law, Faculty of Islamic Studies and Law, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran, Iran

2 M.A. Student in Public Law, Faculty of Islamic Studies and Law, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Elections are one of the most important foundations of democracy and popular governance, conducted in various countries and dimensions, often facing challenges and issues that technology can help mitigate. Among these emerging technologies is blockchain technology. With its various capabilities, blockchain can provide a significant platform for conducting elections on both small and large scales in the future. The existence of a secure and tamper-proof environment, the lack of need for third-party oversight, high speed, low costs, and the ability to use it anywhere with internet access are among the advantages that have led many experts to seriously consider this technology for election processes, and in some countries, it has been used in a limited and experimental manner for elections. This research aims to analyze the capacity and features of blockchain technology and the requirements and challenges it faces using a descriptive-analytical method. Among these challenges are creating security and protection against hacking, maintaining individuals' privacy, complete identity verification, voting in accordance with legal conditions, ensuring transparency in the voting process, providing equal and free access to the internet, and allowing oversight of the election process at all stages by legal authorities, which must be considered by technologists when designing blockchain-based software.

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