ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION IN UKRAINE: LEGAL REGULATION AND CURRENT SITUATION

Keywords: electoral process, digitization, e-democracy, new voting technologies, e-election, e-voting, standards for e-voting, cyber security

Abstract

The article examines the concept of electronic voting and counting technologies as well as their increasing use around the world. E-voting is viewed as a mechanism for expressing the will of the people by electronic means and as an automated process of counting votes (without mediation), which is designed to simplify the voting procedure and potentially increase voter turnout. Electronic voting is featured in the article as one of tools for e-democracy. European legal standards for electronic voting are analyzed based on the experience accumulated by the member states of the Council of Europe that have used electronic voting in recent years and the lessons learned.

The potential and prospects of e-voting system implementation for Ukrainian citizens are discussed in light of the steps taken by the Ukrainian authorities to create preconditions for the introduction of the electronic voting system, legislative initiatives and the existing legal framework that can be used for further legal support of electronic voting in Ukraine. Special attention is paid to the role and influence of the main stakeholders on the process of digitalizing elections. The introduction of a novel element into the electoral process has predictably provoked widespread debates about the benefits and risks of electronic voting in the short and long run.

In conclusion, domestic legislation and practice in the field of e-voting are generalized and recommendations are given on the prospects for the implementation of electronic voting in Ukraine. Due to the complexity of e-voting implementation, it is limited to pilot testing at present. Based on the experience of other countries, it has been determined that electronic voting should be used in parallel with the traditional expression of will. The introduction of new voting technologies should be preceded by the comprehensive and extended preparation for the implementation in terms of the following areas of public policy: technological, legal, educational and communicative.

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Published
2022-07-06
How to Cite
Tokar-Ostapenko, O. (2022). ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION IN UKRAINE: LEGAL REGULATION AND CURRENT SITUATION. Strategic Panorama, (1), 26-41. https://doi.org/10.53679/2616-9460.1.2022.03
Section
Articles