Cristhian Jaramillo

Cristhian Jaramillo

MSc Social Research Methods Political Scientist

Electronic voting: advancing at a prudent pace

1 minute read

Published:

“Electronic voting, whether in-person or remote, is the technological promise to modernize elections worldwide. Speed, accuracy, and inclusion are the key words for this tool, designed to address the logistical challenges of traditional elections.”

Photo credit: ONPE
This text was originally published in Spanish in the Peruvian newspaper 'El Comercio.' If you wish to read the original article, you can do so here.


Electronic voting, whether in-person or remote, is the technological promise to modernize elections worldwide. Speed, accuracy, and inclusion are the key words for this tool, designed to address the logistical challenges of traditional elections. However, these expectations come with challenges that must not be ignored.

Among the greatest advantages of electronic voting are the immediacy and accuracy it offers compared to traditional methods. Additionally, this method opens the door to greater inclusion, making it easier for people with disabilities and citizens abroad to vote. On top of that, electronic voting also promises to significantly reduce costs by eliminating the need to print ballots and reducing the personnel required for the process.

But it’s not all about efficiency and convenience. The risks are real. Fears of result manipulation—both internal and external—and the lack of transparency have raised alarms. In several countries, such as Germany and Finland, they opted to abandon these systems after discovering critical vulnerabilities that compromised the integrity of the vote.

In Peru, the adoption of electronic voting has been slow and cautious. From the first pilot experiments in the 90s to the partial implementation in the 2011 general elections, progress has been gradual. In the extraordinary congressional elections of 2019, only 2.1% of districts used electronic ballot boxes.

Despite the concerns, Peru cannot afford to fall behind. Electronic voting is crucial to include those who cannot travel. The expansion of this technology must continue, but in controlled districts and in a limited manner to minimize risks, as ONPE has done. Electronic voting is the future, but a future that must move forward with the caution and rigor necessary to strengthen trust in our democracy.

Leave a Comment

You May Also Enjoy

What is behind authoritarian nostalgia?

4 minute read

Published:

“Not only in Peru, but in other countries, former dictators are remembered with nostalgia, and some even argue that, under their mandate, economies were more solid, crime was controlled or better “values” were promoted (…) omitting the devastating consequences that these governments have had.”

Peru: a lesson for Latin America

4 minute read

Published:

“Peru is at a political crossroads. The organization of transparent and fair elections, although crucial, is not enough to fully sustain the rule of law.”

Peru 2022: A democracy carrying burdens

8 minute read

Published:

“The response to the protests has been an “institutionalized disdain.” (…) Far from attempting to establish a dialogue with the protesters, part of the Peruvian establishment has chosen to ignore the excesses of the police and armed forces.”