It is no news that the election process, especially in Africa, is always tagged with violence and corruption. Although a democratic government is described to be a government with the needs of the people (the citizens) at heart, the reverse is the case when it comes to the government making decisions even in the electoral process. If voting is a legal right of every citizen of a Nation, then maintaining transparency, immutability and security should be a major concern to the government or even an organization. As the world revolves around technology, it is expected that the government also advances in its mode of operation.

The emergence of Web3 technology has gone far beyond the usual crypto space. Although Web3 is still in its early stage of development, its decentralized and transparent features make it an embraceable technology in the government voting system. While the traditional voting system (paper-voting) poses insecurity of voters and manipulation of results, Web3 technology arises as a solution.

In this article, we will explore the several ways Web3 technology can influence a better voting system as a boost to the Democratic governance system.

Here are several ways in which Web3 can be useful in the voting process:

Transparent and Immutable Record:

Blockchain, a fundamental component of Web3, provides an immutable and transparent ledger. Blockchain's immutability ensures that once a vote is recorded, it cannot be changed or deleted. Each vote becomes a permanent and verifiable entry on the blockchain, thereby reducing the risk of fraudulent activities or election rigging. This feature is particularly significant in building trust among voters, as they can independently verify that their votes were cast as intended and remain unchanged.

Also, blockchain provides a transparent chain of custody. A system where every cast vote can be tracked from the moment it was cast to its inclusion in the final tally. This goes a long way to strengthen the integrity of the entire process as it provides a more accurate result.

However, while the transparency of the entire process might lead to a post-election risk, as individual voting decisions can be seen by others, building two separate blockchains (according to Pablo Pejlatowicz) for votes and voter ID will solve the issue, thereby making blockchain voting a better choice.

Security through Cryptography:

While insecurity and manipulation of data are major challenges of the traditional paper voting system, Web3 employs cryptographic techniques to secure transactions. In the context of voting, this ensures the confidentiality and integrity of each vote, reducing the risk of fraud or manipulation. Unlike conventional voting, blockchain smart contracts make it impossible for dual voting, since every voter must be verified with a set of algorithms to be eligible to vote.

Decentralization and Resistance to Tampering:

Traditional voting systems often rely on centralized authorities and longtail procedures. This system often involves multiple intermediaries, from polling station officials to central election commissions. However, Blockchain eliminates the need for many of these intermediaries by providing a decentralized and secure platform for recording and verifying votes. This not only streamlines the process but also reduces the potential for human error or manipulation.

Interestingly, with the use of blockchain, the voting results can be tabulated almost instantly and made publicly available. This reduces the time taken to announce results and minimizes the potential for disputes, as the outcome is verifiable by anyone with access to the blockchain.

Additionally, as the use of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) in Web3 is increasingly popular, adopting blockchain voting with the feature of DAOs creates an inclusive governance system. With the DAOs, citizens can engage with government directing as they participate in the decision-making process.

Public Auditing:

The decentralized and transparent nature of blockchain allows for public auditing of the entire voting process. Anyone with access to the blockchain can independently verify the legitimacy of the election results, thereby fostering a high level of confidence in the democratic process. This feature is particularly relevant for election observers, political parties, and citizens who want to ensure the fairness of the electoral outcome.

Voter Education and Engagement:

The adoption of Web3 into the electoral process is not only known to eliminate results manipulations. It can also be employed to educate and provide transparent information about candidates, issues, and the voting process. While this can lead to a more informed and engaged electorate, the use of blockchain also allows for fact-checking. Verified information about candidates' statements, policy positions, and track records can be stored on the blockchain, ensuring that voters have access to accurate and up-to-date information.

Final thoughts:

Incorporating blockchain, a fundamental aspect of Web3, into the voting process can provide a robust and transparent framework that addresses several longstanding challenges in traditional voting systems. It establishes a foundation for secure, tamper-resistant, and verifiable elections, ultimately strengthening the democratic principles of transparency and fairness. It is important to note that despite having substantial benefits to the voting process, Web3 challenges like the digital divide can impede the implantation, otherwise, Web3 is the best option for a more transparent and secured voting system