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Original Article

Elevating Democracy: Blockchain-Secured Voting with Enhanced Identity

Authentication

Narayan G Patil, Shreya Sanjay Karalgekar

Deepak S Bhadgaonkar, Gouri S Rane and Rajeshwari kisan

S. G. Balekundri Institute of technology Department of computer Science Belgavi Karnataka

590016 India
Deepak S Bhadgaonkar, Email address: Deepakbhadgaonkar123@[Link]

Abstract:
Current voting systems, both traditional and digital, suffer from a lack of transparency
and vulnerabilities that can be exploited. This undermines public trust and raises concerns
about democratic rights. Blockchain technology offers a potential solution to these problems
by providing a secure and transparent platform for voting. Unlike conventional voting
mechanisms that depend on physical polling stations, our proposed framework leverages
blockchain and Epic voter Id with face recognition, OTP Verification to conduct voting
digitally. This framework is scalable due to its use of flexible consensus algorithms and
employs a Chain Security Algorithm to further enhance security. Smart contracts ensure a
secure connection between voters and the network during transactions. The voting process
itself is elaborated upon leveraging Blockchain technology. Performance evaluations
demonstrate that This system is appropriate for large-scale implementation.
Keywords: Digital Voting, Blockchain voting system, Face scanning, OTP (One-Time
Password).

1. Introduction:
Democracy plays a vital role in the progress of nations, allowing citizens to elect and
replace their government through elections. Nonetheless, this procedure requires a substantial
amount of manpower and resources. Elections are essential for people to choose their leaders,
necessitating accuracy and transparency. Existing systems have shortcomings such as the risk
of violence, machinery damage, and fraudulent votes. To tackle these concerns, this document
suggests a novel approach: an Web-based e-Voting System using Facial Recognition
technology. While other methods like fingerprint recognition exist, our system offers advantages
in bandwidth utilization for facial matching and identification.

2. Literature Survey:
“Lai et al.” proposed A transparent electronic voting system that is decentralized and
ensures that emphasizes minimal trust among participants, suitable for large-scale electronic
elections. However, their system lacks protection against DoS attacks because of the absence
of a third-party auditing authority. It's only viable for small-scale use due to platform
limitations. While Ring Signature maintains voter privacy, managing multiple signer entities
is challenging. Their use of PoW consensus, while providing security, is energy-intensive and
costly.

[1]. Shahzad et al. introduced the BSJC proof of completeness as a dependable e-voting
method, Ensuring anonymity, confidentiality, and robust security concerns. Yet,
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challenges remain, including the energy-intensive Proof of work and the engagement
of a third party, risking data tampering and unfair results, particularly at scale.

[2]. Gao et al. proposed a A cryptographic electronic voting protocol based on blockchain
technology aimed at thwarting quantum computing threats with audit capabilities,
enhancing the Niederreiter algorithm's resistance to quantum attacks. While effective
for small-scale elections, security and effectiveness decrease with a higher number of
voters.

[3]. Khan, K.M. proposed the block-based e-voting architecture, experimenting with
permission and decentralized blockchain frameworks without requiring authorization
under various scenarios. Their scheme involves generating voter and voter addresses
and updating blockchain ledger by a mining group, ensuring the voting process's
integrity and reliability.

3. Methodology:

Fig.1 Architecture Diagram

Voter Registration
During registration, voters provide their unique ID number, email address, name, and phone
number. The system utilizes facial recognition technology for login purposes, requiring a clear
video selfie at signup.

Login and Authentication

Following registration, voters log in using a password. Successful login is followed by facial
recognition for boosting security and real-time authentication.
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Blockchain for Secure Voting

The system leverages blockchain technology for its inherent security and transparency.
Blockchain encrypts cast votes using an asymmetric encryption algorithm. The public key for
verification resides on the blockchain, while the private key is held by the system.

Ethereum for Transaction Execution

The Ethereum network serves as the framework for creating and storing the blockchain.
Encrypted blocks containing voting data is distributed across numerous nodes, ensuring system
resilience. Voters interact with smart contracts on a private Ethereum blockchain environment
created using Ganache to cast their votes.

Admin Role and Responsibilities

The administrator manages the entire voting platform. This includes verifying voter and
candidate registrations, scheduling elections, and controlling crucial notifications, such as
results announcements.

Results Processing and Transparency

The results stage involves vote tabulation and generation. The system displays the outcome on
the website. Voters can identify their votes using their public keys, upholding the system's
transparency.

Fig.2 Data Flow Diagram

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4. Existing Work

Fig.3 Working of EVM

Currently, voting systems predominantly rely on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and
Secret Ballot Voting, both of which entail significant manpower and time-consuming processes.
Eligibility for voting typically begins at the age of 18, with individuals required to present their
voter ID and other details for manual validation before being granted permission to vote.
However, conventional voting mechanisms are beset with inefficiencies and vulnerabilities that
compromise the integrity of the electoral process.

Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have become a common fixture in many electoral
systems worldwide. While intended to streamline the voting process, their deployment
necessitates meticulous logistical planning. EVMs must be transported to various polling
stations across the country, entailing significant manpower and security arrangements.
Moreover, the manual validation of voter details before casting a vote introduces delays and
potential opportunities for error or manipulation.

Similarly, Secret Ballot Voting, while preserving voter anonymity, remains a labour-
intensive process. Each vote must be manually cast and subsequently counted, a task that
requires considerable manpower and time. The manual handling of paper ballots introduces the
risk of miscounting or tampering, undermining the credibility of election outcomes.
Despite efforts to ensure transparency and fairness, the current voting system is far from
infallible. The reliance on manual processes not only prolongs the duration of elections but also
increases the likelihood of errors and irregularities. Moreover, the logistical challenges
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associated with transporting and securing EVMs pose logistical challenges, particularly in
geographically vast or politically volatile regions.

To address these shortcomings and enhance the accessibility and efficiency of the voting
process, there is a pressing need for technological innovation. One potential solution lies in the
development and implementation of digital voting systems that leverage cutting-edge
technologies such as blockchain and biometric authentication.

Blockchain-based voting systems offer a secure and transparent platform for conducting
elections. By storing voting records in a decentralized ledger, blockchain technology ensures
immutability and tamper resistance, safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
Moreover, the use of cryptographic techniques guarantees voter anonymity while enabling
verifiable and auditable election results.

Biometric authentication, such as facial recognition or fingerprint scanning, can further

enhance the security and accessibility of digital voting systems. By linking voter identities to
unique biometric identifiers, such as facial features or fingerprints, these systems mitigate the
risk of identity fraud and unauthorized voting. Additionally, biometric authentication
streamlines the voter verification process, reducing the need for manual intervention and
expediting the voting process.
In conclusion, while conventional voting mechanisms have served as the cornerstone of
democratic elections for centuries, they are increasingly proving inadequate in the face of
evolving technological and societal challenges. By embracing digital voting solutions, we can
overcome the limitations of existing systems and usher in a new era of accessible, efficient,
and transparent elections.
5. Working

Fig.4 Overview of System

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The proposed system offers a streamlined and secure method for voter interaction, enhancing
the efficiency and accessibility of the voting process. Upon logging into the system, voters
undergo facial recognition authentication, granting access to the list of candidates relevant to
their electoral district. This authentication mechanism, coupled with role-based access control,
ensures that only authorized individuals can participate in the voting process.
Once a voter selects their preferred candidate, their vote is mined by multiple miners for
verification. Valid votes are then added to the public ledger, secured through blockchain
technology utilizing cryptographic hashes for end-to-end verification. Each successfully cast
vote is treated as a transaction within the blockchain, recorded both as a new block and in the
database. This approach ensures the integrity of the voting system, preventing duplicate votes
through the use of unique facial recognition identifiers.
Following validation, voters receive immediate notification of their transaction ID via message
or email, allowing them to track their vote on the ledger. While this notification provides
transparency, it maintains voter privacy by safeguarding individual voting choices. Each voter's
identity is represented by a cryptographic hash within the blockchain, ensuring anonymity even
from system operators or administrators.
By leveraging blockchain technology and robust authentication mechanisms, the proposed
system offers a comprehensive solution to enhance the integrity and accessibility of the voting
process. Its emphasis on security, privacy, and verifiability ensures a fair and transparent
electoral system, addressing the shortcomings of traditional voting methods.

6. Conclusions

The execution of the blockchain-based e-voting system with face-recognition and OTP
authentication represents a significant advancement in the realm of secure and transparent
electoral processes. Through rigorous testing and validation, we have demonstrated the
effectiveness and reliability of the system in ensuring the integrity of the voting process while
preserving voter privacy. The integration of facial recognition technology and OTP
authentication enhances the security of user authentication, mitigating the risk of unauthorized
access and ensuring that only eligible voters can take part in the election. The utilization of
blockchain technology provides a secure and tamper resistant platform for recording and
verifying votes, promoting transparency and trust in the electoral outcome

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Copyright Transfer Agreement

The article entitled Elevating Democracy: Blockchain-Secured Voting with Enhanced

Identity Authentication with Narayan G Patil, Shreya Sanjay Karalgekar
Deepak S Bhadgaonkar, Gouri S Rane and Rajeshwari kisan as authors is herewith submitted
for publication in Songklanakarin Journal of Science and Technology (SJST). I confirm that
this article has not been published and is not being considered for publication elsewhere. The
contribution is my original work, all of which has been carried out by those named as authors,
and I will take public responsibility for its content.

I hereby transfer all copyright associated with the above article to Songklanakarin Journal of
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infringes the copyright or other personal or proprietary rights of any person or entity.

I, on behalf of all authors, hereby submit my article for consideration by the Editorial Board of
Songklanakarin Journal of Science and Technology (SJST) for reviewing, editing and
publishing.

Author’s name Deepak S Bhadgaonkar

Affiliation S. G. Balekundri Institute of technology Department of computer Science
Belgavi, Karnataka 590016 India
Signature Deepak B.

Date 24/05/2024