Mathematics

Researchers from Sun Yat-Sen University describe findings in computer modelling

  2008 NOV 24 - (VerticalNews.com) -- According to a study from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, "Despite well-known controversies surrounding electronic voting (e-voting), electronic voting systems are gradually replacing traditional paper-based ones in some developed countries. An anonymous e-voting system that can be used in elections with large electorates must meet various security requirements, such as anonymity, uncoercibility, tally correctness, completeness, unrecastability, verifiability, soundness, and honesty."

  "In particular, the uncoercibility requirement is essential, since systems meeting this requirement can largely reduce the possibility of coercion and bribery in elections. If a voter obtains only one voting receipt in an electronic voting system, coercers or bribers can enforce the voter to show her/his voting receipt to identify whether the enforced voter followed their will or not. However, if a voter can obtain multiple receipts reflecting several possible intentions in an election, coercers cannot distinguish these receipts to decide how the voter actually voted. In this article, we analyze possible venues for successful coercion, and present ideas for developing an effective electronic voting protocol, allowing one to greatly reduce the chances of coercibility. This protocol is independent of the underlying cryptographic components, and it can be easily implemented in electronic voting systems," wrote C.I. Fan and colleagues, Sun Yat-Sen University.

  The researchers concluded: "We use random oracle models to demonstrate that the proposed protocol possesses the necessary security features."

  Fan and colleagues published their study in Mathematical and Computer Modelling (An efficient multi-receipt mechanism for uncoercible anonymous electronic voting. Mathematical and Computer Modelling, 2008;48(9-10):1611-1627).

  For more information, contact C.I. Fan, National Sun Yat Sen University, Dept. of Computational Science & Engineering, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan.

  Publisher contact information for the journal Mathematical and Computer Modelling is: Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd., the Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England.

  Keywords: Cryptographic, Data Management, Information TechnologyMathematics, Sun Yat-Sen University.

  This article was prepared by VerticalNews Mathematics editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, VerticalNews Mathematics via VerticalNews.com.