When one hears of the DNA abbreviation, it usually means the coded genetic information of the cell. The Bulgarian adaptability has been encoded in our cultural DNA, as Thracian expert Prof. Ivan Marazov loves to say. However, the abbreviation now has a new message: a Digital National Coalition:

“The electronic voting is a step towards a greater power to the people and a greater motivation for the usage of electronic services. The more digital practices we have, the more we approach the e-government. The meaning of the new DNA abbreviation is technology as a code for public processes,” says in an interview for Radio Bulgaria our digital champion Gergana Passy, chair of the association of the same name. The reason: the Sofia-held discussion, named E-voting – DNA of Modern Society?”

“The whole IT sector attended the discussion we organized,” Mrs. Passy went on to say. “They stated unanimously that there was no technological problem with e-voting. We made it clear that there were no legal obstacles as well. Prof. Emilia Drumeva, a former constitutional judge and current advisor to the Prime Minister on the election process also took part in the debate. She said there was no constitutional obstacle standing in front of e-voting. As far as the constitutional decision on the Election Code is concerned, which includes the e-voting article, there are only concrete recommendations that can be easily followed. Therefore the only factor that its implementation depends on is the political will. Only the interior ministry argued within that discussion, as it expressed its doubts that e-voting would solve the issues with purchased and controlled vote. Participants stated, I will quote them: “we are trying to find a pill against flu and not against AIDS”. Well, I see the e-voting problem’s more serious side, regarding Bulgarians abroad. I know the process as a person, who has been part of the foreign ministry. I mean that in these election periods the diplomats have to worry about activities that are not typical for them. Sacks with ballots are carried around, which practically brings in a greater risk and abuse options. The Bulgarians themselves have to move miles away from wherever they reside. If you add the huge finance resource used, I think the consequences are quite visible.”

“E-voting has been implemented by so many countries, so there shouldn’t be any technological obstacles for Bulgaria as well,” states CEO of Informational Services Nikolay Nedyalkov, a co-organizer of the discussion.

“As far as e-voting is concerned, there are several components that should be complied to,” he goes on to say. “First, technology and a mechanism for the vote’s anonymity should be provided. Second: several casts of ballots have to be avoided and only a single vote should be registered. Third: there is a protective technological possibility for a mechanism to be implemented, which doesn’t allow us to reveal our vote to a third party. This is a very important mechanism, when we talk about a purchase of votes. The fourth mechanism aims at the combination of technological and organizational elements, in order for those, who want to use their right to vote digitally, to be able to do it more than once. What does it mean? E-voting takes place 4 – 10 days before the official poll date. Everyone may vote several times within that period, as only the last e-voting is registered. On the poll date, the voter might want to go to the ballot box. Then the paper ballot, the physical vote will be registered and accepted. When one uses e-voting, he or she receives online a special e-note, registering the vote, but without any details included. After the end of the election day, the election committee publishes the database and everyone can check whether his or her vote has been registered. The mechanisms implemented wouldn’t allow any pressure on voters. Each country implements e-voting in a different manner – with e-signatures, or e-identity, or even SMS some places. The legislation of the state itself, its infrastructure and the way the polls are organized are the leading part. This is one of the mechanisms for participation of citizens in both the decision-mking process and the e-governing of the country,” said for RB Nikolay Nedyalkov, CEO of Informational Services.

English version: Zhivko Stanchev