Is e-voting currently used in any elections with EMB participation?
Bhutan
- Yes, in politically-binding national elections (elections for public office or direct democracy initiatives)
- Yes, in politically-binding sub-national elections (e.g. elections for regional legislature or executive office etc.)
Bhutan, Election Act 2008 [official English translation], accessed 29 October 2018
1. This Act shall: (b) Extend to the whole of Bhutan, and apply to elections to Parliament and Local Governments in all electoral constituencies and to National Referendums;
330. A voter shall cast his/her vote in person at the polling station through a secret ballot. Provided that the Election Commission may, with regard to the circumstances of each case, direct that the votes at any election in a constituency be cast and recorded by electronic voting machine (EVM).
Election Commission of Bhutan: Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) Rules and Regulations of the Kingdom of Bhutan (2018), accessed 29 October 2018
3. Purpose
3.1 The EVM:
3.1.1 Ensures total secrecy of voting data;
3.1.2 Safeguards the purity of the ballot;
3.1.3 Ensures efficiency in the recording of votes;
3.1.4 Is portable, tamper-proof and error-free;
3.1.5 Counts votes accurately and also ensures quick declaration of results;
3.1.6 Permits each voter, by pressing button to cast his/her vote for any candidate or party or for any special measure for whom or on which such voter is lawfully entitled to vote;
3.1.7 Reduces the use of paper, saves time, money and manpower for printing, checking and counting of ballot papers; and
3.1.8 Eliminates all chances of invalid votes.
