ICTs in Elections Database

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About this database

One of the most compelling concerns that election practitioners face today is how to make use of the unique opportunities presented by the development of modern information and communication technologies (ICTs). ICTs can help to speed up and streamline several procedures in the electoral cycle, such as voter registration, casting ballots, processing of results and many other processes. However, technologies can also create complex challenges to election operations. When ICTs are correctly used, based on well-identified needs and the adoption of a proper implementation strategy, the outcome can be very beneficial.

Some countries use ICTs effectively to improve electoral processes, but others face problems. The most cited causes of failure in ICT use include unrealistic expectations of ICTs to meet demands, adoption of inappropriate technologies, and lack of qualified staff to work with ICTs.

In order to help election practitioners and stakeholders to better understand the use of ICTs in elections, International IDEA has conducted a global comparative study to learn how ICTs are being used in several stages of electoral process. The main purpose was to document the global patterns of usage of ICTs in elections, the problems and challenges countries are facing, and the types of technologies being used. The study led to the development of an online database, which presents the comparative data in an interactive way.

The database consists of five parts covering the use of ICTs in the following areas:

Voter registration and identification
E-voting
Processing of results
Use of open source technology in election administration
Online data publication by electoral management bodies (EMBs)

Background information

View our themes

Electoral Processes

Political Participation and Representation

Methodology

FAQ

Methodology

The initial data for the ICTs in Elections Database was gathered between 2014 and 2016. A specific survey questionnaire was distributed to national electoral management bodies (EMBs). When contact details of EMBs of some countries were not available or when EMBs did not respond to the survey questionnaire, in-house research was conducted by International IDEA’s officers in conjunction with regional/local consultants when needed to collect the necessary data.

Since the launch of the ICTs in Elections Database, the data is continuously updated following the changes in regulations of countries related to the use of ICTs in elections. While updating the data, particular attention is given to news reports posted in EMB websites, media articles, election observation mission reports, and other reputable sources covering on-going elections around the world. Thus, it is most likely that data for each country is updated closer to an electoral event. Since 2018, recording the new data in the database also preserves data from previous years. This makes it possible to gradually create time series dataset.

Researchers at International IDEA do their best to keep the database up-to-date. However, due to time and budgetary restraints we may not keep the track of all the changes happening across the globe. In addition, non-response from EMBs or lack of reference materials available online increases the chances of misinterpretation of practices used in some countries. Therefore, we invite researchers and practitioners working in the area of elections to contribute to the update of the ICTs in Elections Database. If they note that the database has missing data, or if they find data that is incorrect, missing sources or requires more explanation, they can use the online form in the “Submit feedback” section. We will review the submission as soon as possible and update the database if the data suggested is accurate.

Frequently asked questions

Who created the database?

The database was created by International IDEA using global survey of EMBs, by contracting regional/local consultants and also using in office research conducted by Institute researchers. The community is encouraged to use the database and help us to improve existing entries and keep the database up-to-date.

Where does the data come from?

Datas come from different sources, such as direct responses provided by EMB officials who filled out the survey questionnaire, electoral legislation, materials posted in the EMB website, reports produced by election observation mission reports, and other reputable materials available online.

What should I do if I find missing or incorrect data?

If you note that the database has missing or incorrect data, or if you find missing sources or a need for more explanation, you can use the online form in the “Submit feedback” section. We will review the submission as soon as possible and update the database if the information submitted is accurate.

Can I get a complete export of all the data?

Yes, there are two options to export all the data in excel file:

Option 1: In the “Search the database” section please click on the “Region/political entity” menu and select “World” option. Then click on the “Search” button. This will produce all the data in the database in a table format. Data from this table can be exported into excel file by clicking on the “Export” button available at the top of the table.

Option 2: Click on the “Advanced Search” hyperlink provided below the “Search the database” section. You will be directed to a specific search interface where you can select all the questions and countries to produce online table presenting all the data. Data from this table can be exported into excel file by clicking on the “Export” button available at the top of the table. In this search interface you can also limit your search to specific sections and/or questions of the database as well as to specific regions and/or countries.

Is there a codebook explaining the variables included in the database?

The codebook for the ICTs in Elections Database is under development. When available, a link will be posted at the bottom of this page.

Glossary

Biometric data	electronic representation of an individual's physical attributes, such as facial features, fingerprints, used to define and identify individual's unique identity.
Certified results	final election results duly certified and published after all challenges are addressed.
Continuous electoral register	method of voter registration in which voter data is continuously collected and updated between electoral events.
Direct recording electronic (DRE) voting machine	voting machine that electronically records votes cast by voters by activating touch-screen displays or mechanical buttons.
Electronic ballot printer (EBP)	produces a machine-readable printout or electronic token containing the voter's choice. This token is fed into a separate ballot scanner that automatically counts the ballots.
Electoral management body (EMB)	an organization or body founded for the sole purpose of, and is legally responsible for, managing some or all of the essential (or core) elements for the conduct of elections, and of direct democracy instruments. These essential (or core) elements include determining who is eligible to vote, receiving and validating the nominations of electoral participants (for elections, political parties and/or candidates), conducting balloting, counting votes, and tabulation of votes.
Electoral register	list of persons registered as qualified to vote. In some countries this is known as the voters' list or electoral roll.
Electronic poll books	electronic version of poll books at the polling station level used to verify the eligibility to vote before they cast their votes. Electronic poll books are used in addition to or replace paper-based voter lists in polling stations.
Electronic tabulation system	an electronic system for the processing and transmission of official results. See also glossary term: Tabulation of votes.
E-voting	use of electronic means in elections to cast or count votes.
Final results	completion of the counting of all or nearly all votes by an electoral management body and thereby establishing election outcomes.
Open source software	access to the source codes of the software. Depending on the exact license model, restrictions and/or fees may apply to the usage, sharing or modification of the software.
Optical Character Recognition (OCR)	electronic capturing of printed or hand written characters and conversion into machine-encoded text.
Optical Mark Recognition (OMR)	electronic capturing of human-marked data from specially designed forms or ballots.
Periodic electoral register	method of voter registration in which old voter data is discarded and a new voter register is created for each electoral event.
Polling station	venue established for the purpose of polling and controlled by the electoral management body.
Population/civil registry	a centrally held master database containing information generated by the administrative infrastructure of a country involving the mandatory collection of information from many sources and containing information such as the name, gender, nationality, age, marital status and address of all citizens. Electoral registers and other documents may be drawn from it when required.
Proprietary software	software owned by an individual or a company, usually licensed with various restrictions on use and secret source codes.
Regional EMB	an electoral management body at a sub-national level. See also glossary term: Electoral management body (EMB).
Registration of voters	the act of entering the names and other relevant information of eligible voters in the electoral register. See also glossary term: Electoral register.
Tabulation of votes	the process of compiling the result of counting of votes cast. This is also known as amalgamation of results.
Vendors	for-profit companies providing elections technology, products and services to electoral management bodies. These companies may also have other lines of business.
Voter registration card	card issued to identify a person registered as an elector in accordance with the provisions of the electoral law.
Voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT)	independent verification system for voting machines that generates a paper receipt for each voter and all votes cast. The voter can confirm that the receipt matches his or her choice. The receipts are kept in the polling station and can be used for manual recounts.