Security and Audit Features of

Security and Audit Features of the Election Management SystemJanuary 20042CONTENTSPageOverview of system 4Testing and security features of system components 7Pre-poll procedures 8Polling procedures 11Close of poll procedures 13Count centre activities 14Appendix (Audit-Paper trail) 173Voter at machineView of voters panel ofmachine with 3 ballotsBallot moduleTypical PC layout forProgramming or Readingballot modules with IESProgramming / reading unit4Security and Audit Features of theElection Management System (EMS)1. Overview of Election Management SystemThe Election Management System (EMS) consists of a voting machine, ballotmodule, program/reading unit (PRU) and Integrated Election Software (IES). IESsoftware is run by returning officers and their staff on dedicated PC’s for thepreparation of elections and the counting of votes. The new system is beingintroduced to modernise the Irish electoral system which is virtually unchangedsince the 1920’s. The electronic system has four major benefits – easier voting byelectors, no inadvertent spoilt votes, more accurate and earlier election resultsand improved electoral administration. It is not an “e-voting” system (i.e. it doesnot use the internet, touch-type telephones, text messages or interactive digitalTV). International discussions are on-going on the security and other features of“e-voting”. The Irish approach to modernising the electoral system is evolutionaryand the further use ...