A BIOMETRIC BASED STAND-ALONE ELECTRONIC VOTING UNIT FOR E-VOTING IN THE NIGERIAN ELECTORAL SYSTEM

Abstract

This paper presents the design of an electronic voting machine suitable for the implementation of transparent e-voting frameworks and cut the cost of running elections using the otherwise traditional means. The system presented here, makes it possible to handle the elections processes in a more effective way through biometric authentication. This biometric based small scale electronic voting machine is designed to handle a limited number of candidates with options for upgrades to meet future demands. A user can be registered and verified through a biometric finger reader and an alphanumeric keypad. The voting procedure and final result can be seen on an LCD interface. The system’s operational algorithm and interface management procedures are embedded into an ATMEGA2560 microcontroller which serves as the central processing unit (CPU). The CPU also connects to a GSM radio device that sends election results to the central collation office for further actions through SMS. The result obtained shows that the machine is able to do two major functions separately and independent of each other; register voters prior to Election Day and carry out the voting process by allowing only eligible voters earlier registered to vote after verification. The results also shows that voter registration and elections can be carried out at a reduced time with an average registration time of 22.67sec and an average voting time of 32.93sec per voter.