CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Elections form a critical process in democratic systems and application of information
technologies to their management is a great milestone towards realizing effectiveness and
efficiency not only in the results of the election process itself but also in the financial implications
that come up with the process. The Polytechnic of Ibadan, one of best and oldest universities in
Nigeria needs a computerized management of student union elections due to the shortcomings in
the ‘human clerk ‘electioneering system. The various drawbacks of a traditional electioneering
system are mainly collusion between the electronic officials and contestants, the queuing time,
delayed results, overworked tallying officials and the undeniable fact of human errors. The existing
voting system did not provide reliable statistics on voting history in the The Polytechnic Ibadan
and thus campaigners lacked the ground to apply scientific voter forecasting methods resolving to
trial and error methodologies which are error prone and inconsistent. Reinforcing a one voter one
vote policy is difficult in such a situation and malpractices as rigging are not uncommon in human
clerk system.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The traditional human clerk mechanisms employed in the management of electioneering
procedures at The Polytechnic Ibadan were not foolproof and were prone to inconsistencies,
election malpractices and untimely delivery of results leading to questions at to the credibility and
validity of the results the returning officer announces. Much expense was incurred in the
production, transportation, storage and destruction of the ballot papers and ballot boxes

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The aim of this project is to develop a database for voters’ in various departments of the
Polytechnic Ibadan, which will in turn help the electioneering committee of the Student Union
Government to conduct a free and fair election using electronic machines. To replace the current
inefficient manual system of voting in the The Polytechnic Ibadan. To ensure credibility in
elections by preventing double voting, this system will also help the student union government
reduce the huge costs incurred in conducting elections.
1.4 JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY
In view of the rapid development of computer technology in virtually all fields of operation and
its use in relation to information management, it has become important to look into the
development of electronic voters registration system to enable government to achieve the
following;
 Conduct free and fair election.
 Safeguard data and information in the system.
 Reduced workload in the process of conducting election.
 Keep accurate record of votes.
 Reduce time wasted in announcing election result.
 Eliminate disenfranchising electorates.

1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The research work is designed to enable Electoral Commission of the Student Union Government
of the The Polytechnic of Ibadan to use electronic device to capture voters’ information. The
design will cover some security issues like authenticating the application with username and
password and also prevent double voting

1.6 LIMITATIONS OF STUDY

During the design of this project work, much finance was required and owing to the financial
meltdown globally, the research was limited by finance and hence concentrated on the available
materials within the locality. Time factor was also the greatest barrier to the successful completion
of this exercise since it had to be done within the semester.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

The computer languages and programming computer aided software engineering tools used are:
 HTML: To develop the interface of the website.
 Ajax: To make the site more dynamic and interactive.
 JavaScript: To validate users’ input and also to make the web more user-friendly.
  CSS: To add styles to HTML code.
 PHP To handle server-side querying and web page information retrieval.
 MySQL: To store data retrieved by the web.
 Photoshop CS3:To make designs and edit images used on the web. This makes the
system to look attractive
 WAMP server: To handle the database and used as platform for internet server.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

 Online Voting System: Also known as e-voting is a term encompassing several different
types of voting embracing both electronic means of counting votes. Electronic voting technology
can include punched cards, optical scan voting systems and specialized voting kiosks (including
self-contained direct-recording electronic voting systems or DRE)
 Campus: The grounds and buildings of a The Polytechnic or college.
 Internet:- Is a connection of thousands of servers scattered all over the World which can
share data.
 Internet Service Provider: This is a company that grants access to the internet.
 Host: They are computers that are directly attached to the internet.
 E-mail: It is used for sending mails on the internet
 Web Server:- It is a highly sophisticated computer or system situated on the server-side
ro respond to request from the clients systems.
 HTML: It is an acronym for hypertext Markup Language. A web development language
used to develop the user interface of websites.
 URL: An acronym for Uniform Resource Locator. A web addresses that points or refers
to a file, resources or folder on the internet or intranet.
 World Wide Web: Abbreviated w3 or simply the web. A huge collection of hypertext
pages on the internet.
 Hosting: The setting up of website on the internet for easy access from anywhere in the
world.
 API: Application programming Interface. Functions used to integrate code or class of one
system to another.
 CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Voting has existed for several years and the process of voting has progressed over the years. It has
been utilized to decide various questions for at least 2000 years. Researchers indicate that voting
systems started from the oral voting, famous raising of the hand and paper based voting systems
to electronic voting procedures (Rexha et al, 2012). Dwumfuo & Paatey (2011) stated,
Improvements in voting systems started early in 1892 with the introduction of the lever machine,
then the introduction of optical-scan machines and punch card systems for voting. The goal of any
voting system is to establish the intent of each individual voter and translate those intents into a
final tally (Steyn & Greunen, 2014). A voting system enforces rules to ensure valid voting, and
how votes are counted and aggregated to yield a final result (Magomelo et al, 2013).
Systems of voter registration vary widely from country to country, and sometimes from locality to
locality. In some, voters are automatically added to the rolls when they reach legal voting age. In
others, potential voters are required to apply to be added to the rolls.
In Australia, the Australian Electoral Commission administers Australia's federal electoral roll.
Each state also has its own electoral commission or office, but voters need only register with the
AEC, which passes the registration details to relevant state commissions.
Voter Registration is mandatory for all citizens 18 years of age or above. An individual has 8
weeks after turning 18 to register, but may register at any time with no penalty being enforced for
failure to register. Similarly, if a change of address causes an individual to move to another
electorate (Electoral Division) they are legally obliged to notify the Electoral Commission within
8 weeks. In Australia, details of house and apartment sales are in the public domain. The Electoral
Commission monitors these and sends a reminder (and the forms) to new residents in case they
have moved to another electorate, making compliance with the law much easier.
Periodically the Electoral Commission conducts door-to-door and postal campaigns to try to
ensure that all eligible persons are registered in the correct electorate.
The one registration covers Federal, State and Local voter registration. In Australia it is a legal
offence to fail to vote (or at the very least, attend a polling station and have one's name crossed off
the roll) at any Federal or State election, punishable by a fine. The amount of the fine varies
between federal and various state elections (The fine for not voting is currently AU$20.00 in
Victoria. This figure is indexed at the beginning of every financial year). Usually people are issued
with warnings when it is found that they have not voted, and they are given an opportunity to show
cause for not voting. Acceptable reasons for not voting may include: being in the Accident
Department of a Hospital, being ill (requires confirmation), being out of the country on election
day, religious objections, being incarcerated etc. I forgot is not considered acceptable and will
incur a fine. Section 245 of the Electoral Act provides that if an elector who has been asked the
"true reason" for his failure to vote states that he did not do so because it was against his religion,
this statement shall be regarded as conclusive, and no further action will be taken.
In Canada, the task of enumeration was handled by the relevant elections bureau such as Elections
Canada for the federal level until 1992. Until that time, the task was delegated to temporary
employees from the public who were charged with going to each residence in assigned areas to
determine the eligible voters for a publicly displayed list for each election. However, this system
was discontinued for fiscal reasons in the 1990s in favour of an opt-in option where voters mark
their consent to be added the national voters list, or register, on their annual income tax returns.
Although this allows the list to be updated annually, there are still complaints of excessive numbers
of omissions which needlessly complicates voting for the public and is contributing to a serious
decline in the percentage of the population who votes.
In Denmark, all citizens and residents of Denmark are included in the national register, Det
Centrale Personregister, where each person is assigned a personal number of ten digits which
include the person's date of birth. The register is used for tax lists, voter lists, membership in the
universal health care system, official record of residence and other purposes, and it is maintained
by the Ministry of Welfare (Velfærdsministeriet). All eligible voters receive a card in the mail
before each election which shows the date, time and local polling place; it may only be presented
at the designated local polling station. Only citizens may vote in national elections, while long-
time residents may vote in local and regional elections. Voting is not compulsory.
Voter registration in Finland is automatic and based on a national population register. Each citizen
is assigned a register ID at birth which contains a six digit date of birth, a century marker, and four
other characters to make the ID unique which are mostly random, but one of which also indicates
the person's sex. Permanent residents appear in this register even if they are not citizens, but this
information is marked on the register. People in the register are legally obliged to notify the register
keeper of changes of address. Changing the address in the register automatically notifies all other
public bodies (for example the tax district for local taxation and the social security authorities) and
certain trusted private ones (e.g. banks and insurance companies) making the process of moving
residence very simple. Close to election time a notification is mailed to registered persons
informing them of the election and where and when to cast their votes. Only citizens may vote in
national elections but all residents can vote in local elections.

All permanent residents of Germany are required to register their place of residence (or the fact
that they are homeless) with local government. Citizens who will be age 18 or higher on the day
of voting will automatically receive a notification card in the mail some weeks before any election
in which they are eligible to vote; for European and local elections, resident citizens of other EU
countries will also receive these cards. Polling places have lists of all eligible voters resident in the
neighbourhood served by the particular station; the voter's I.D. card is checked against these lists
before they receive a ballot. Voting is not compulsory.
In Hong Kong all permanent residents who are above 18 years of age and suffering from no mental
illness can register as voters. Imprisoned people can also register and vote since the laws
prohibiting them from voting was ruled unconstitutional in 2009. (They can vote starting from
mid-2010 when the electoral roll is updated annually.) The registration process is voluntary. In
2002 around 1.6 million permanent residents did not register.
In Israel, all citizens who are 18 years of age or older on election day are automatically registered
to vote.
In Mexico, there is a general electoral census. Any citizen of age 18 or greater must go to an
electoral office in order be registered into the electoral census. Citizens receive a voting card
(credencial de elector con fotografía) that must be shown to vote in any election. The same voting
card generally serves as a national identity document.
All citizens and residents of Norway are included in the national register, Folkeregisteret, where
each person is assigned a personal number of eleven digits which include the person's date of birth.
The register is used for tax lists, voter lists, membership in the universal health care system and
other purposes, and it is maintained by the tax authorities. All eligible voters receive a card in the
mail before each election which shows the date, time and local polling place. Only citizens may
vote in national elections, while long time residents may vote in local and regional elections.
Voting is not compulsory.
All citizens and other residents of Switzerland are required to register themselves with the
municipal authorities at their place of residence. Voter registration is automatic for citizens, who
receive their ballot by mail a few weeks before an election or referendum.
In the UK voter the failure to complete the voter registration form with accurate information is an
offence, and thus registration is actively encouraged by central and local government. Voters must
be on the electoral roll in order to vote in national, local or European elections.
A fixed address is required to vote; if someone wishes to vote but lacks a fixed address for some
reason, they may register to vote by filling in a 'Declaration of local connection' form. This
establishes a connection to the area based on the last fixed address someone had, or the place where
they are likely to spend a substantial amount of their time (e.g. a homeless shelter).
A voting card is sent to each registrant shortly before any elections. This does not need to be taken
to the polling station, instead it serves to remind individuals of the exact details they provided to
the electoral register.
The current system of registration, introduced by the Labour government is known as rolling
registration whereby electors can register with a local authority at any time of the year. This
replaced the twice-yearly census of electors which often disenfranchised those who had moved
during the interval between censuses.
Following an experiment in Northern Ireland using personal identifiers, such as National Insurance
numbers and signatures, the number of registered electors fell by some ten thousand; it is
understood that this may have taken off the electoral roll fictitious voters. The system of individual
registration used in
Northern Ireland may be piloted in Great Britain if the recently introduced Electoral
Administration Bill is made into law in time for the local elections in 2006.
Across the country, the registration of electors is still technically the responsibility of the 'head of
the household', a concept seen by some as being somewhat out of step with modern society. This
current system is controversial as it is possible for one person to delete people who may live with
them from the electoral roll.

Under the United States Constitution, states may not restrict voting rights in ways that infringe
one's right to equal protection under the law (Fourteenth
Amendment), on the basis of race (Fifteenth Amendment), gender (Nineteenth Amendment), or
age for persons age 18 and older (Twenty-Sixth Amendment). Only U.S. citizens have the right to
vote in federal elections. In a few cases, permanent residents (Green Card holders) have registered
to vote and have cast ballots, most without realizing that it is illegal; non-citizens convicted in
criminal court of having made a false claim of citizenship for the purpose of registering to vote in
a federal election can be fined and imprisoned for up to a year, then deported, and removal
proceedings have resulted in several cases, Kirk Semple (2010).
While the federal government has jurisdiction over federal elections, most election laws are
decided at the state level and the true authority to interpret and enforce those laws comes at the
local level. Usually the county election office is the place to start if you want to register to vote.
The administration of elections can vary widely across jurisdictions.
Registering to vote is the responsibility of individuals in the United States. Voters are not
automatically registered to vote once they reach the age of 18. Every state except North Dakota
requires that citizens who wish to vote be registered.
Traditionally, voters had to register at state offices to vote, but in the mid-1990s efforts were made
by the federal government to make registering easier, in an attempt to increase turnout. The
National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (the "Motor Voter" law) forced state governments to make
the voter registration process easier by providing uniform registration services through drivers'
license registration centres’, disability centres, schools, libraries, and mail-in registration. Some
states allow citizens to register to vote on the same day of the election, known as Election Day
Registration. States with same-day registration are exempt from Motor Voter, namely: Idaho,
Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Voters may register at the
local election office (which is usually at city or town hall) or, one may call the election department
and request a voter registration form through the mail. Voter registration forms may be found at
public libraries and registries of motor vehicles. These forms must be filled out and mailed to the
local election department. Also, one may register at a voter registration drive. The only states with
online voter registration are Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Utah, Oregon, Louisiana and
Washington, though legislation has been introduced in
other states.
Some states prohibit individuals convicted of a felony from voting, known as felony
disenfranchisement. Some states prohibit voting when on parole and/or probation but allow voting
after. Some states have a lifetime ban from voting for ex-convicts, Graves (2010).
One may register wherever one has an address, regardless of its permanence— for example, a
college student living away from home may register to vote in the college's city, even if that is not
a permanent address. In most states, one must register, usually 30 days before a given election, in
order to vote in it.
Seven states, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Wyoming, allow
for Election Day Registration.
In some states, when registering to vote, one may declare an affiliation with a political party. This
declaration of affiliation does not cost any money, and it is not the same as being a dues-paying
member of a party; for example, a party cannot prevent anybody from declaring his or her
affiliation with them, but it can refuse requests for full membership. Some states, including
Georgia, Michigan, Virginia, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Washington do not have party affiliation
with registration.
In general elections, a voter may choose to vote for all of a particular party's candidates (straight-
ticket voting) or to vote for candidates from different parties for different offices (Party X's
candidate for President, Party Y's candidate for Senator, Party Z's candidate for Governor). In a
general election, a person may vote for any party's candidates, regardless of the political party they
belong to.

2.2.1 ELECTRONIC VOTERS REGISTRATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

According to Martin (2006), electronic voters registration system is a system and a method for
facilitating an election. A database containing voter registration information is downloaded from
a central computer to a portable computer that is accessible at a polling station. The database can
be searched by a proctor or official at the polling station to determine whether a prospective voter
is eligible to vote at the polling station. The name or name and date of birth of the prospective
voter is entered into a search field of the portable computer and the database is searched. If and
when a matching record is found, additional information is displayed on a second screen and the
proctor or official can make a determination whether the prospective voter is eligible to vote at the
polling place.
To ensure the health of a free and democratic society, it is essential that voting be carried out in a
fair and efficient manner, and in compliance with state and federal statutes. Individuals who are
not registered voters, who have been placed on the inactive voters list, and who no longer reside
in the precinct, ward or district of a particular polling station must be identified and either permitted
to vote at that polling station, not allowed to vote at that polling station, directed to the proper
polling place, or provided other direction on how to proceed.
Furthermore, those individuals permitted under the rules to vote at a particular polling station must
be properly identified and counted as having voted.
Presently, some individual polling stations have an updated paper copy of township lists, lists of
active/inactive (or in suspense) voters, and/or a poll book listing the registered voters for a
particular precinct. These lists (poll book) can be greater than a thousand pages for any given large
municipality, which can have several hundred individual polling stations. This system is very
inefficient and prone to inaccuracies. For example, when a prospective voter enters a polling
station, his or her name is checked against the list of registered voters in the poll book for that
particular polling station. If the prospective voter is not listed in the poll book, the polling station
monitor will contact the election office, which will obtain the name and date of birth date of the
prospective voter and determine the appropriate polling station for the prospective voter. Many
times, the poll judge cannot timely reach the election office during times of active voting because
of busy phone lines, lack of cell phone service in the area and/or a general lack of communication.
This system is inefficient, expensive and prone to error. For example, in some districts, polling
stations are furnished with expensive cell phones for use in contacting the election office to obtain
voter information, since each polling station does not have direct access to the entire voting roles,
laptops with adequate T1 lines, and lack of cell phone service in places like gymnasiums, polling
locations and rural areas.
New federal mandates that allow for provisional ballots have created some logistical and
potentially legal problems for voters and voting districts. Provisional ballots are generally cast by
those voters who are not registered to vote or who show up at the wrong polling place, and in cases
in which the poll judge cannot reach the election board because of a lack of communication. A
problem with provisional ballots in many jurisdictions is that provisional ballots may not be
counted if they are cast in the wrong polling place, which obviously defeats the purpose of the
provisional ballot cast because the voter has found himself in the wrong polling place.
An object of the invention is a system and method of directly accessing up-todate and useful
information on a portable electronic device (e.g., computer). The system and method greatly
improve the efficiency and accuracy of the voting process. Several advantages of the instant
invention include
(1) the elimination of the need in many cases for provisional ballots or the improper discarding
of provisional ballots,
(2) shorter lines and quicker moving lines at polling places due to quick elimination of voters
who show up at the wrong polling place,
(3) a reduction in the call volume generated at polling places and forwarded to the election
center on election day,
(4) happier voters, who can obtain relevant voting information at any polling place in a
particular county/state,
(5) happier election judges, who can determine the eligibility of any prospective worker at any
polling place in real time, and
(6) reduced stress on the statewide voter registration systems because queries are performed
on a handheld devices instead of on-line to a central computer.
In a preferred embodiment, the up-to-date and useful information is voter registration and polling
place location information. The method comprises the steps of exporting data from a central
database voter registration system onto a portable computer located at a polling station, entering a
first information into a searchable field displayed on the portable computer, and obtaining
additional information associated with the first information, and making a decision regarding the
person associated with the name. In a preferred embodiment, the portable computer is located at a
polling place/precinct, the first information is a name, and the additional information comprises
the status of a prospective voter as registered to vote or not. Preferably, the method additionally
comprises compiling an up-to-date and useful information database, which, for example but not
exclusively, may be a voter registration database that includes name, date-of-birth, address, ward
and precinct (or the equivalent thereof) for each voter in a state or municipality. The decision to
allow or to disallow a prospective voter to vote at the polling station is based upon information
displayed on the second screen.
Another object of the invention is an electronic information system, which comprises a central
database that contains voter information, a central computer that houses the central database, a
portable computer, a means for transferring data between the central computer and the portable
computer, a software program that enables a user to enter first information into a field and retrieve
additional useful information related to the first information. While the database may relate to any
and all myriad useful information, in a preferred embodiment, the database is directed to voter
registration information, which comprises name, date-of-birth, address, voting location such as
precinct and ward (or equivalent thereof), status (e.g., canceled, in suspense/inactive, active) for a
prospective voter, and optionally a voter identification number. Alternatively, but not to the
exclusion of the previous, the database may comprise a list of inactive voters.
In another object of the invention, the invention is directed to methods and systems for managing
and deploying voter registration information at a polling place using a computer and program to
organize, convert and/or transfer voter data to multiple portable electronic devices for use at
polling places. The system comprises a precursor voter database, a central computer (or a plurality
of central computers across a voting district) and converter software, a converted voter database,
a portable computer or a plurality of portable computers, and a means for transferring the converted
voter database from the central computer to the portable computer(s). The precursor voter database
may be a paper file or an electronic database file containing records of prospective voters. The
converted voter database is an electronic database of records in a format compatible with the
portable computer. The records contain voter registration data such as name of voter, birth date of
voter, voter status (preferably active vs. inactive), ward/precinct, and street address. In a preferred
embodiment, two converted databases are deployed on the portable computer(s), a voter data
database and a street data database.
The method according to this object comprises the steps of
(1) optionally producing (e.g., from a paper file) or obtaining a first electronic database file of
voter registration information, the information includes the name of a voter, the birth date, the
status (preferably active vs. inactive), the ward/precinct, and the street address,
(2) converting the first electronic database file into a second electronic database file of a type
that is generally exportable across one or more computer systems, the type such as, e.g., comma
separated value (―CSV‖) or (preferably) tab separated value (―TSV‖) format,
(3) converting the second electronic database into a third electronic database having a format
that is accessible via the portable computer (preferably a palm database (―PDB‖) format), and
(4) downloading the third electronic database onto the portable computer(s) (preferably Palm
OS® personal digital assistant), which. can be distributed to local polling places.
In yet another object of the invention, the invention is directed to a method for collecting,
transferring and/or storing voter data. Voter information is obtained from the prospective voter at
the polling place by an election official, the data is inputted into a portable computer device, such
as for example a Palm PDA device, which may be accompanied by an accessory input device such
as a keyboard. The information may be name, address and/or birth date, or whatever information
is requested to facilitate the voting process, verify a voter's eligibility, and/or develop an up-to-
date voter registration list. The information that now resides on the portable computer may be
transferred to a media device such as a multimedia card or other like device. The media or the
portable computer is brought to a central election office and the information is transferred to a
central computer. The information is then integrated into the voter registration database, in
whatever form, that is used by the election office.
The inventor has developed a system and method for enabling the access of information contained
in a large database on a portable computer useable at a remote site. The inventor envisions that the
system is applicable to any business method wherein useful information housed on a central
computer may be downloaded onto a portable computer for use at a site distant from the central
computer. Thus, the invention is not to be construed to be limited solely to the embodiment herein
disclosed, but by the claims which follow.
The inventor has recognized the need for reliable and readily accessible information at polling
stations. Currently, voter registration information is printed, bound (this is a poll list) and
distributed by an election office to individual polling stations. The information is then used by a
polling station proctor or official to determine if a prospective voter, who enters a polling station,
is eligible to vote. If the prospective voter is not on the roster for a particular polling station and is
not on the inactive voter list, the polling station official can contact the election office to determine
which polling station the prospective voter should report to vote. The prospective voter, who's
name is not found on the poll list or inactive voter list, may be allowed to cast a provisional ballot
with the caveat that in some jurisdictions, the provisional voter must cast that provisional ballot in
the correct precinct. Thus, the inventor has invented a system and a method for efficiently
delivering accurate and upto-date voter registration information to each polling station in a voting
area.
In one embodiment, the invention is directed to an electronic voter registration system. In a
particular preferred aspect of the embodiment, the electronic voter registration system comprises
a database of voter information in electronic format. The database contains records for registered
voters of a particular voting area (municipality, county, state, and the like), wherein each record
includes the name, date of birth and address of a voter. More preferably, each record also includes
the precinct, ward and voting eligibility status of the voter. Status refers to whether the voter is
active or inactive, in suspense, cancelled, military, and the like. Alternatively, but not exclusively,
status can refer to whether a voter has already cast a ballot in the current election, and is therefore
ineligible to vote again. Database structures are well known in the computer arts and are readily
available as shareware, freeware and from commercial vendors such as FileMaker, Gupta,
iAnywhere, InterSystems, IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, Pervasive Software, Progress Software,
Sybase, and TimesTen. Some common voter registration systems include ES&S (offered by
Election Systems and Software,
Inc.), VR Systems, HART Interactive and IBM.
Preferably, the database, which is maintained and up-to-date, resides on a central computer, which
may be a server, personal computer, or the like, and which may be located in a state controlled
office, an election office, space controlled by an election office, or with a vendor, or any
combination thereof. Prior to an election, all or part of the database is transferred to one or more
portable computers, which are located and used at one or more polling stations. Portable computers
include, but are not limited to pocket PC (windows, linux, mac os), cell phone, tablet PC, Palm OS
device, and laptop computer. In a preferred embodiment, the portable computer is a personal digital
assistant (―PDA‖). More preferably, the portable computer is a Palm OS device.
The database is transferred from the central computer to the portable computer by any one or more
methods that are well known in the art, including, but not limited to, wire transfer means, such as
through a USB connection, serial connection, modem or network (e.g., hot synchronization), or
wireless means, such as by infrared (―IR‖), microwave and radio wave, and/or by physical transfer
of media, such as CD, multimedia or memory card, Zip™ disc, and the like. Examples of wireless
transmission methods or protocols include Bluetooth
(2.56 GHz band), IrDA (infrared frequencies), and Home RF or SWAP (2.45 GHz range). In a
preferred embodiment, the transfer is by hot synchronization of the central computer and a PDA.
In a more preferred embodiment, the transfer is by transfer of a multimedia or memory card
between the central computer and PDA.
In another preferred aspect of this embodiment, the electronic voter registration system (supra)
comprises a database of voter information in a first electronic format, which may be in any one or
more myriad database formats, including for example text file, spread sheet file, access file and/or
the like. The database in this first electronic format is then converted to a universal format (second
electronic format) using a converter software located on the central computer or a multiplicity of
computers. Universal formats are generally recognized in the art, and include for example tab
separated/tab delimited (―tsv‖, aka ―txt‖), comma separated (―csv‖), and xml. The second
electronic format is then converted, using a conversion software program, to a format that is
compatible for a portable computer (third electronic format). In a preferred embodiment, the
portable computer is a Palm OS PDA and the third electronic format is a palm database format
(―pdb‖).
In a preferred aspect, two databases are loaded onto the PDAs, a voter dataset, and a street dataset.
In a more preferred aspect and in addition to downloading a voter dataset and a street dataset onto
the portable computers, a voting district or state logo can be downloaded onto the portable
computers. Additionally, an ―about‖ screen data can be downloaded onto the portable computers,
to identify the vendor, district, date of election, and/or other information.
In this embodiment of the system, multiple portable computers contain the database and are
distributed to multiple polling stations throughout an official voting area. Displayed on the screen
of the portable computer (―first screen‖) is a searchable field, into which a polling station official
or other individual can input the name of a prospective voter. The input can be by way of any input
device, such as for example a stylus, a keyboard, an optical electronic card, a mouse, and a
microphone. Preferably, the name is input using a keyboard or a stylus. The input name is
compared to the records of the database and a matching record is called up and useful fields are
displayed on the screen of the portable computer (―second screen‖). The polling official or other
individual can make a decision to allow or disallow the prospective voter associated with the input
name to vote. More preferably, the first screen can display an additional searchable field, such as
date-of-birth, to assist in narrowing the database search. Alternatively, the arrow keys on the PDA
may be toggled to scroll through the list of names in the database.
In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a method of facilitating an election. The
method enables an official or proctor at a polling station to access information about a prospective
voter on an easy to use portable computer, and to provide useful advice to the prospective voter.
The method comprises creating, importing or updating a database, which contains voter records,
on a central computer. The database is downloaded onto one of more portable computers using a
wire, wireless or direct transfer method, wherein the database is stored on a medium that can be
moved from the central computer and loaded onto the portable computer (e.g., disc, CD, chip).
The central computer can be a server or personal computer that operates using any operating
system, such as Palm, Windows, Linux, Mac and the like. Likewise, the portable computer may
utilize any operating system, such as Palm, Windows, Linux, Mac and the like. In a preferred
embodiment, the central computer utilizes a windows operating system and the portable computer
is a personal digital assistant (―PDA‖) which utilizes a Palm operating system, and the database
is transferred using a hot synchronization method through a USB, serial, modem or network
connection. In a more preferred embodiment, the database is transferred on a memory or
multimedia card that is transferred between the central computer and the PDA.
Having the database loaded onto the portable computer, the portable computer is accessed at a
polling station. A prospective voter enters a polling station and optionally (i.e., in some
jurisdictions) presents a proctor or official with a form of identification. The proctor or official
enters the name or name and date of birth of the prospective voter into a searchable field displayed
on the screen (―first screen‖) of the portable computer, which then executes a search program to
search the records of the database. If the name or name and date of birth is matched to a record of
the database, additional fields associated with that record are displayed on the screen (―second
screen‖) of the portable computer. Those additional fields include one or more of address, precinct,
precinct part, ward and status of the prospective voter. Status may be active, inactive, in suspense,
cancelled, ineligible, or not available. Preferably status is either active or inactive. If the name or
name and date of birth of the prospective voter does not match with any record in the database,
additional fields may not be displayed on the second screen, but rather a notification is displayed
on the second screen indicating that no match was found in the database.
Having obtained additional information related to the prospective voter, the proctor or official at
the polling station makes a decision whether to allow or disallow the prospective voter to vote at
the polling place. If the prospective voter has a status of active or inactive/in suspense and the
precinct and ward match with the polling place, the voter may be allowed to proceed to vote. If the
prospective voter has a status of active or inactive/in suspense and the precinct and ward do not
match with the polling place, the proctor or official may notify the prospective voter of the proper
polling place that serves the precinct and ward of the voter. If no record match has been found
related to the name or name and date of birth, the voter may not be allowed to proceed to vote, or
the voter may be allowed to file a provisional ballot.

2.2 RELATED WORKS

2.2.1 Paper-based electronic voting system
Sometimes called a "document ballot voting system", paper-based voting systems originated as a
system where votes are cast and counted by hand, using paper ballots. With the advent of electronic
tabulation came systems where paper cards or sheets could be marked by hand, but counted
electronically. These systems included punched card voting, mark sense and later digital pen
voting systems. In this process, the voter gets a blank ballot and uses a pen or marker to indicate
he wants to vote for a particular candidate. Hand counted ballots is a time and labour consuming
process. But it is easy to manufacture paper ballots.

2.2.2 Direct-recording electronic (DRE) voting system

A direct-recording electronic (DRE) voting machine records votes by integrating a keyboard with
a touch screen or buttons for the voters press to pool. Its one that processes data with computer
software; and that records voting data and ballot images in memory components. After the election
it produces a tabulation of the voting data stored in a removable memory component and as printed
copy. The system may also provide a means for transmitting individual ballots or vote totals to a
central location for consolidating and reporting results from precincts at the central location. These
systems use a precinct count method that tabulates ballots at the polling place. They typically
tabulate ballots as they are cast and print the results after the close of polling.
In 2002, in the United States, the Help America Vote Act mandated that one handicapped
accessible voting system be provided per polling place, which most jurisdictions have chosen to
satisfy with the use of DRE voting machines, some switching entirely over to DRE. In 2004, 28.9%
of the registered voters in the United States used some type of direct recording electronic voting
system
Electronic voting systems may offer advantages compared to other voting techniques. An
electronic voting system can be involved in any one of a number of steps in the setup, distributing,
voting, collecting, and counting of ballots, and thus may or may not introduce advantages into any
of these steps. Potential disadvantages exist as well including the potential for flaws or weakness
in any electronic component.
Charles Stewart of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology estimates that 1 million more ballots
were counted in 2004 than in 2000 because electronic voting machines detected votes that paper-
based machines would have missed.
In May 2004 the U.S. Government Accountability Office released a report titled
"Electronic Voting Offers Opportunities and Presents Challenges", analyzing both the benefits and
concerns created by electronic voting. A second report was released in September 2005 detailing
some of the concerns with electronic voting, and ongoing improvements, titled "Federal Efforts to
Improve Security and Reliability of Electronic Voting Systems Are Under Way, but Key Activities
Need to Be Completed".
It has been demonstrated that as voting systems become more complex and include software,
different methods of election fraud become possible. Others also challenge the use of electronic
voting from a theoretical point of view, arguing that humans are not equipped for verifying
operations occurring within an electronic machine and that because people cannot verify these
operations, the operations cannot be trusted. Furthermore, some computing experts have argued
for the broader notion that people cannot trust any programming they did not author.
Under a secret ballot system, there is no known input, nor any expected output with which to
compare electoral results. Hence, electronic electoral results and thus the accuracy, honesty and
security of the entire electronic system cannot be verified by humans.

2.2.3 Electronic ballots

Electronic voting systems may use electronic ballots to store votes in computer memory. Systems
which use them exclusively are called DRE voting systems. When electronic ballots are used there
is no risk of exhausting the supply of ballots. Additionally, these electronic ballots remove the
need for printing of paper ballots, a significant cost. When administering elections in which ballots
are offered in multiple languages (in some areas of the United States, public elections are required
by the National Voting Rights Act of 1965), electronic ballots can be programmed to provide
ballots in multiple languages for a single machine. The advantage with respect to ballots in
different languages appears to be unique to electronic voting. For example, King County,
Washington's demographics require them under U.S. federal election law to provide ballot access
in Chinese. With any type of paper ballot, the county has to decide how many Chinese-language
ballots to print, how many to make available at each polling place, etc. Any strategy that can assure
that Chinese-language ballots will be available at all polling places is certain, at the very least, to
result in a significant number of wasted ballots. (The situation with lever machines would be even
worse than with paper: the only apparent way to reliably meet the need would be to set up a
Chinese-language lever machine at each polling place, few of which would be used at all.)
Critics argue the need for extra ballots in any language can be mitigated by providing a process to
print ballots at voting locations. They argue further, the cost of software validation, compiler trust
validation, installation validation, delivery validation and validation of other steps related to
electronic voting is complex and expensive, thus electronic ballots are not guaranteed to be less
costly than printed ballots.

2.2.4 Paper Based Voting

These technologies are the first voting techniques of mankind, where the ballot papers are used as
the basis for counting votes, the voter gets a blank ballot or a simple form which the names of
candidates and their pictures are printed and use a pen or a marker to indicate which candidate he
want to vote him.
In this scheme, voting is conducted in centralized or distributed places called voting booths. Voters
go to voting booths and cast their votes under the supervision of authorized parties. The votes are
then counted manually once the election has finished. Paper ballots can be retained for verifying.
This type is still the most common way to vote. (Parveen et al, 2013).
Missing ballot papers, invalid or miscounted votes are some of the challenges associated with the
paper-based voting system(Steyn & Greunen, 2014), also handcounted ballots leads to loss of
valuable time (standing in queues and counting votes), and incur expenses through printing of
ballot paper and employment of electoral officials, but it is easy to manufacture (Magomelo et al,
2013). To respond the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights which puts important ant on
the necessity of free elections, nations aim to new and improved voting procedures, and invest
huge sums of money in search of better ways for managing and administering electoral processes
in order to make it easier, convenient and also relevance to elections in the 21st century.
(Salomonsen, 2005).
In order to achieve long-term objective, and to reduce the above mentioned problems, numerous
electronic voting technologies that provide an easily accessible voting mechanism were proposed,
but most of them have failed to provide voter authentication in an efficient and transparent way
(Shinde et al, 2013). The following electronic voting schemes were the ones those were widely
used in the past, and today in some countries.
2.2.5 Lever Voting Machine
The next Technology (Technological advance) is the starting lever machines introduced in 1892,
Lever machine is peculiar equipment, and each lever is assigned for a corresponding candidate
Voters enter a voice in choosing a place to gather a list of candidates and each candidate elected.
The sound is recorded and calculated by Lever Machines. Or the voter pulls the lever to poll for
his favorite candidate. This kind of voting machine can count up the ballots automatically. Because
its interface is not user-friendly enough, giving some training to voters is necessary.
2.2.6 Punch Card
The voter uses metallic hole-punch to punch a hole on the blank ballot. It can count votes
automatically, but if the voter’s perforation is incomplete, the result is probably determined
wrongfully. A voting system includes the practices and associated documentation used to identify
system components and versions of such components; to test the system during its development
and maintenance; to maintain records of system errors or defects; to determine specific changes
made after initial certification; and to make available any materials to the voter (such as notices,
instructions, forms, or paper ballots). Traditionally, a voting machine has been defined by the
mechanism the system uses to cast votes and further categorized by the location where the system
tabulates the votes.
2.2.7 Optical Voting Machine
This technology came into use in 1980. In this system, voters use a paper form and write on the
box or oval shape follows the direction of the arrow to drive prospective voters, after each voter
fills a circle correspond to their favorite candidate on the blank ballot, this machine selects the
darkest mark on each ballot for the vote then computes the total result. This kind of machine counts
up ballots rapidly. In the late 1990’s about 25% of voters in USA voted by using optical mark
sense voting technology.
However, if the voter fills over the circle, it will lead to the error result of opticalscan. An advantage
of these systems is that the voters don't have to learn to use a voting machine.
Physically able voters can simply use pen and paper to mark their intent. Some disabled voters
could use a machine to print a voted ballot, which can then be fed into the optical scanner along
with all the other ballots, thus preserving the secrecy of their ballot. Optical scan voting systems
can allow for manual recounting of ballots. Statistically relevant recounting can serve as a tool to
detect or deter malfunction or fraud. Once an error in the counting process is suspected a full
recount can determine the proper results. An advantage compared to DRE voting machines is that
even if the optical scanner fails, voters can still fill out their paper ballot, and leave it to be scanned
when the machine is fixed or replaced with a spare. This also allow many more people to
simultaneously vote than would be the case with fully computerized voting.
2.2.8 Direct Recording Electronic Machine.
Electronic voting technology started in 1970, it is an implementation of an electronic voting
system, where the voter chooses the candidate by marking the choice of possible options on the
electronic storage device. All votes are stored on a memory cartridge, smart card, or a floppy disk.
Then they moved to a central location to be counted and get the result.
Direct Recording Electronic Voting Machine has the advantage to enhance the speed of voting and
also make the result tabulation faster and more precise. It is also a helpful and suitable technology
for all those people with disabilities. DRE machines can use headphones or other devices in order
to provide convenience and availability. It can release feedback quickly to the voter and inform
them the possible problems.

2.2.9 Smart Card Voting

With the use of the smart cards and kiosk there was a significant leap in voting technology, as
persons were able to vote within their own comfort zone or that was the intension.
The need for the various human security bodies was eliminated. However, everyone who is eligible
to vote would have to have a pre-program smart card. The voting Kiosk is where all the action is
located. To start, the voter must place the voter token into the slot. The voting kiosk will seize this
token until the voter has successfully voted. After the token has been seized, the kiosk will verify
that this token is valid authentic, this is done by looking at the RV signed token, timestamp and
the polling site id. This system however, has flaws on security aspect and voters could vote
multiple times.
In addition, persons may have to stand in long queue to cast their votes. Taking the above aspects
into consideration, we here propose a Biometric authenticated Mobile voting system for Jamaica
in the first instance, which would use authentication using Fingerprint and voting using the mobile
device id i.e. IMEI number, as main security mechanisms.
2.2.10 Implementation Tools
There are many implementation tools can be used to develop a computerized system for this
project. This is a client and server system which server searches the data and sends it back to the
client. As a matter of fact a client server system is a special case of a co-operative computer system.
All such systems are characterized by the use of multiple processes that work together to form the
system solution.
ASP
ASP stands for Active Server Pages. It is a program that runs inside Internet Information Services
(IIS). ASP is a Microsoft Technology. ASPs are server-generated pages, which can call other
programs to run program like access database, serve different pages to
different browsers.
ASP is efficient since it can write code directly to the server’s application program interface. It
allow server side scripting.
It enables programmer to make dynamic and interactive web pages. The default scripting language
used for writing ASP is VBScript, although you can use other scripting languages like JScript
(Microsoft's version of JavaScript).
Active Server Pages is an open, compile-free application environment in which you can combine
HTML, scripts and reusable Active X server components to create dynamic and powerful
Web-based business solutions. Active Server Pages enables server-side scripting for IIS with
native support for both VBScript and Jscript
JAVA
The JAVA programming language helps write more powerful programs that run in the browser,
from the desktop, on a server, or on a consumer service. JAVA programs are on program called
JAVA Virtual Machine JAVAVM. JAVA is web- enabled and network savvy.
JAVA’s client-server library is easy to use because ordinary mortals can do network
programming. It has automatic memory management. JAVA is rich with powerful standards
libraries
JAVA technology has grown that include the portfolio of specialized platforms such as JAVA2
Platform, Standard Edition and JAVA2 Platform, Enterprise Edition.
PHP
PHP is a server scripting language. It stands for PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor. Programs in PHP
are included in amongst the normal text of HTML pages. These programs executed by a PHP
enabled WWW server. The PHP is based on C language in UNIX environment.
Its flexibility and relatively small learning curve (especially programmers who have a
background in C, Java, or Perl) make it one of the most popular scripting languages around
(K.Glass, 2004).
The advantage of PHP is the inclusion of a very a very large number of library routines including
oracle and MySQL. PHP was a legitimate development solution and began to be used for
commercial web site.
Apache Server
Apache Web server is one of the most popular Web server. Its main job is to parse any file
requested by a browser. Then it will display the correct results based on the code within the file.
It works best in UNIX environments, but it runs well under Windows. It can be used to host a
Web site to the general public, or a company-wide intranet. It makes use of third-party modules.
Apache is a great Web server. It is extremely quick and amazingly stable (Bulger,
2004).
Microsoft Personal Web Server (PWS)
This is an application that allows a computer to become a simple web server. It will create a
client server environment. The server will contain the homepage and main system itself. PWS
supports Active Server Page (ASP). It can support up to 10connections at a time and no longer
supports FTP. It is ideal or small business workgroups.
Microsoft Information Internet Server (IIS)
It uses ASP scripting or building its web pages and can support VBScript and Jscript++. It helps
organizations increase Web site and application availability while lowering system
administration costs.
Macromedia Dreamweaver MX
Macromedia Dreamweaver MX is the next generation of Macromedia’s leading design and
development platform. It is the integration of top-notch design tools and great server-side
programming functionality. It can create sophisticated data-driven applications. Using the tools it
provides, information such as text can be entered directly onto the page and then customizing the
working environment.
MYSQL
MySQL is the most popular open source SQL database that is free or many uses. MySQL is a
relational database management system in which basically means that it can store data in
separate tables.
Its acceptance was aided in part by the variety o other technologies such as PHP, Java, Perl,
Python, and the like that have encouraged its use through stable, well documented modules and
extensions.
It is a non-procedural language, user specifies what must be done but does not have to know the
physical storage format and activities take place. It allows user to create table structures and
database as well as defined access rights to database

2.3 CURRENT METHOD IN USE

The current method in use is a manual system, voting are done manually i.e votings are casted on
paper and the result of the election will be collated and announced by election governing body
such INEC for Nigeria Election

2.4 APPROACH TO BE USED IN THE STUDY

The approach to be used to compliment the formal method in use is to ascertain a Computer based
Voting System experiment website strictly to.
 Build a dynamic website upon my research analysis.
 Make use of PHP, HTML, CSS, Jquery, JavaScript, MySQL and so on to design program
and implement the website.
 Utilize and ascertain a standard database oriented program to perform CRUD (Creating,
Retrieving, Updating and Deleting) function
 CHAPTER THREE

3.0 SYSTEM INVESTIGATION AND ANALYSIS

A system is a simple collection of interrelated parts (components) working together to
achieve a particular goal while analysis are the process involved in the working system and finally
design is described as the plan carrying out a particular project. Hence a system design from the
foregoing is basically an act of planning how the group of interrelated parts of a system will work.

3.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION OF THE CASE STUDY

The University of Ibadan was established in 1948, UI as it is fondly referred to, is the first
University in Nigeria. Until 1962 when it became a full-fledged independent University, it was a
College of the University of London in a special relationship scheme. The University, which took
off with academic programmes in Arts, Science and Medicine, is now a comprehensive citadel of
learning with academic programmes in sixteen Faculties namely, Arts, Science, Basic Medical
Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Agriculture, the Social Sciences, Education, Veterinary Medicine,
Pharmacy, Technology, Law, Public Health, Dentistry, Economics, Renewable Natural Resources
and Environmental Design and Management. The Faculties of the Basic Medical Sciences,
Clinical Sciences, Public Health and Dentistry are organised as a College of Medicine. The
University has other academic units among which are: Institute of Child Health, Institute of
Education, Institute of African Studies, Centre for Child Adolescent and Mental Health, Centre for
Educational Media Resource Studies, African Regional Centre for Information Science (ARCIS),
Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CEPACS), Centre for Petroleum, Energy, Economics and
Law (CPEEL), Centre for Sustainable Development (CESDEV), and Centre for Entrepreneurship
and Innovation (CEI),Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training (IAMRAT), Centre
for Drug Discovery, Development & Production (CDDDP), Centre for Control & Prevention of
Zoonosis (CCPZ). A new National Institute for Maternal Child & Neonatal Health (NIMCNH) &
Institute for Infectious Diseases are under construction. A new School of Business (UISB) is
expected to take off later this year. The University, as part of efforts to fulfil a God-given mandate
of promoting Nigeria’s development, established a Research Foundation (UIRF). In response to
emerging threats to peace and peaceful co-existence in Africa, the University established the
Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies (IPSS) to provide actionable studies and solutions.
There are twelve Halls of Residence which provide accommodation for about 30% of the
population of students in the regular studies mode; and three others under construction with the
support of the FG Revitalisation Funds. The University has 1212 housing units, out of which of
which 609 units are occupied by senior staff and 603 units by junior staff. The University of Ibadan
is, therefore, a truly complex organization. Its governance is based on the Committee System; all
the Boards and Committees report to Council and/or Senate. In order to carry out its main functions
of teaching, research and community service, the University has been providing to a large extent,
basic services like electricity and water supply, security, health facilities and other municipal
services to its staff and students.

3.2 OPERATIONS OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM

Students are to ensure they have been registered on the website with their matric number
and other details, vote can then be casted by only duly registered student. The registration of the
duly registered students can only be done by the admin of the system. Student will only login with
their username and password and cast their vote for the candidate.Voting result can viewed by the
student on the website, registered student reports among others can only be queried by the admin
of the system.

3.3 ANALYSIS OF FINDINGS

This involves the total breakdown of the mode of operation of the existing system. It is
very essential to carefully analyze the mode of operation and the flaws surrounding the existing
system, understanding this phenomenon will serve as a guideline for the new system.

3.3.1 Output from the existing System

The output of this project can be viewed with respect to the processing that was made; it’s
the result of the various operations that was carried out while managing student records which will
be printed en masse and distribute to concerned student which include;
 Voting details report
 Registered Voters report
 Candidates report
3.3.2 Inputs to the system
 Student ID
 Student Name
 Passport
 Password
 Sex
 Contact address
 Grade
 Email

3.3.3 Processing activities carried out by the System

This section defines the procedure involve towards the conduction of free and free, stress
free election and generation of an efficient reports using the input captured.
3.4. PROBLEMS OF THE EXISTING SYSTEMS
The problems in the current system include;
 Loss of information
 Time wastage
 Redundancy of data
 Delay in the retrieval report
 Insecurity
In reference to the above stated problems, there is a need to automate the system and therefore the
new system will solve the problems.

3.5 SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED

The best solution to the problem associated to the existing system is to design and implement
an Online voting system which will eliminate the problem of the existing system in the following
ways
 Increase the data retrieval time of information
 Reduce data redundancy
 Integrity
 Reduce data loss
 Storage space
 Security
 Portability
 Maintainability
 Error free
 Avoid multiple voting
 Administrator can view list of all voters
 Voters would be able to check the voting result