Blockchain—based Election Tally Sheets Processing System

Abstract

Centralized control of vote counting and result declaration is vulnerable to attacks that compromise election integrity, fairness, and transparency. We present a Web3-based system to decentralize the processing of tally sheets generated at polling stations. Our analysis focuses on the electoral systems of Venezuela and Ecuador, both of which rely on a centralized tally sheet processing procedure. We evaluate the vulnerabilities of this approach and propose a solution based on permissioned blockchains and decentralized storage, using Ecuador’s system as a case study. Our solution ensures integrity, fairness, and transparency throughout the digitalization, transmission, processing, and publication of tally sheets and election results. We developed a basic prototype using Hyperledger Fabric and IPFS.