The Moldovan citizens perceive Internet voting as a useful instrument, but are aware of the related technological and organizational risks. The population’s trust in public institutions and electoral processes is insufficient to introduce Internet voting. At the same time, at political level there is skepticism as to the introduction of Internet voting and the politicians consider the implementation of this system is not possible during the next two-four years, says a study that was presented by “Promo-LEX” Association, IPN reports.
Study author Livia Țurcanu said the implementation of Internet voting is important as the final beneficiaries are the citizens as voters. The involvement of the final users of Internet voting throughout the development of this system will anticipate particular provocations and will increase the level of trust in this new voting method.
On the one hand, Internet voting is needed to ensure the right to vote of the citizens from the diaspora. On the other hand, the sociopolitical context is not favorable for introducing Internet voting. The electoral amendments of the past two years that were made in a hurry, in the absence of a political and social consensus, without assuring a level of transparency and public debates, caused distrust among the people and other actors. The people’s distrust in the democratic processes and public institutions was fueled by the high level of corruption.
According to the expert, to avoid the compromising of the vote by influencing electors, these should be able to vote over the Internet or go to the polling place on the election day if they changed their mind. The vote cast last, over the Internet or at the polling place, will be the one that will be akin into account. Therefore, multiple voting should be regulated by the legislation. It is recommended that the voters should be able to check the correctness of the vote cast over the Internet by a system or an application that would be different from the electronic voting system.
Attending the event, Alexandru Balmoș, division head at the Central Election Commission, said a feasibility study of Internet voting in Moldova was carried out two years ago. Internet voting was to be piloted at the upcoming parliamentary elections, but the move was put off following the amendment of the electoral system. Currently, the system goes through the reengineering stage and the authorities estimate this could be piloted gradually after the presidential elections, starting with small elections.
“Promo-LEX” Association programs director Pavel Postica said political support from parties is needed for Internet voting to be introduced. Multidisciplinary teams should be engaged and these should include representatives of civil society. The public should be extensively informed about the advantages and disadvantages of Internet voting.
The study included a series of interviews with representatives of the CEC, ministries and political parties and an online questionnaire that was filled out by persons who can vote from the country and abroad. There were analyzed the Internet voting implementation models of other states and the national legal, technical and social frameworks.
