Securing Elections with Blockchain: A Review of Blockchain based E-Voting Systems

Abstract

The evolution of electronic voting systems (e-voting) reflects a growing need to enhance electoral integrity, security, and efficiency in modern democracies. As traditional voting methods face scrutiny for vulnerabilities and inefficiencies, blockchain technology has emerged as a promising alternative. This paper explores the potential of blockchain-based e-voting systems, analyzing their ability to address key challenges such as vote tampering, privacy concerns, and voter trust. By reviewing current literature and employing a systematic mapping approach, the study categorizes the challenges of e-voting into five key areas: integrity, privacy, coin-based considerations, consensus mechanisms, and general issues. We present a comprehensive framework that outlines the architecture of a blockchain-based voting system, emphasizing the role of smart contracts, decentralized ledgers, and cryptographic security in creating a transparent, secure, and efficient electoral process. While blockchain technology offers significant improvements, the paper acknowledges existing hurdles related to scalability, transaction speed, and voter trust, calling for further research and pilot implementations to address these issues. This analysis contributes to the growing discourse on how blockchain can transform future voting systems and strengthen democratic processes worldwide.