Blockchain R&D Hub CINO and Co-Founder Arman Aleksanian was a guest speaker at the Blockchain as an Electoral Tool: Advantages and Risks discussion held by #Article3 Club to disclose the prospects of electronic voting systems in a pre-electoral period. Aleksanian shed light on the advantages and disadvantages of switching the voting system to electronic, specifically, the possibility of holding an electoral process through blockchain technology.
Having parliamentary elections using blockchain technology is unprecedented and naturally, jeopardous. “There is no developed country that has had a voting process through blockchain technologies,” noted Arman, “and there is no country with experience to explore in this field,” stressing the risks involved in the process.
One of the issues Aleksanian spoke of was the data involved. He mentioned that where the voters' data on the online system would be stored is problematic. “When choosing to hold elections through blockchain technology, it’s important to understand where the voter’s data will be kept. The central election committee (CEC) is an option, but it’s insufficient. There must be bases that are not affiliated with one another.”
But the future of voting is not as gloomy and uncertain. Aleksanian is hopeful that electronic voting systems would be integrated in the future.
“We finally have the opportunity to hold free and independent elections and we do not need to scavenge for technologies anymore.”
Armenia is not experienced enough to hold nationwide elections through blockchain technologies, but taking baby steps to hold small-case regional referendums might be the solution to bigger prospects on large-scale decisions.