Project Description
Why DigiVote?
In today’s democratic framework, government services such as traditional voting methods can pose challenges, including difficulty accessing polling stations, navigating complex procedures, and insufficient support for understanding the voting process.
As a state-of-the-art digital voting app, DigiVote is designed to make government services such as voting both secure and convenient for Australians, including those with disabilities and those in remote areas.
By integrating technologies such as AI chatbots, computer vision for ID verification, multi-factor authentication, and blockchain for secure vote recording, DigiVote guarantees accurate and secure vote counting. Additionally, the app offers language support, accessibility tools, and real-time voting dashboards, making it a comprehensive solution that enables every citizen to easily participate in the democratic process, including access to people of all language backgrounds in Australia, including First Nations communities and the speakers of the top 10 most widely spoken languages across the country.
How is the problem addressed?
DigiVote addresses the challenge of digital inclusivity by leveraging AI and other advanced technologies to provide a streamlined and accessible voting platform. It empowers citizens, regardless of physical ability or location, to vote securely and confidently. Features like AI chatbots, immersive readers, and multi-language support are tailored to overcome the obstacles faced by traditionally marginalized groups, ensuring that the voting process is inclusive for all.
Application:
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In-App Features provided for users:
- Interactive, Real-Time Dashboard: A live dashboard will provide an overview of votes cast across Australia, allowing users and officials to monitor voting trends in real time. This adds transparency and keeps users informed.
- AI Chatbot for FAQs: An intelligent AI-powered chatbot will assist users by answering frequently asked questions, making the app user-friendly for all, especially first-time voters and those unfamiliar with digital platforms.
- Computer Vision for ID Verification: To enhance security, the app will use advanced computer vision technology to verify the user's ID. This ensures a seamless and secure verification process, reducing the likelihood of identity fraud.
- Accessibility Toggles (e.g. Immersive Reader): The app will include accessibility features such as immersive readers and customizable interfaces to accommodate users with disabilities. This ensures that everyone, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities, can easily navigate the app.
- Interactive Help Feature: Users can hover over a question mark icon near specific words, phrases, or sentences to get explanations on why and how certain features should be implemented. This promotes transparency and user understanding, making the app more accessible.
- Multi-Language Support: The app will support multiple languages to ensure that citizens from diverse linguistic backgrounds can access and understand the voting process, making the app inclusive for non-English speakers via AL Language Translators.
- ID Verification with Selfie Video: Users will need to record a selfie video while holding their ID as part of the identity verification process. This step, initiated by tapping the "Start Recording" button, adds an extra layer of security.
- Multi-factor Authentication: this ensures that only verified users can access the app, but it is designed to be user-friendly, reducing the risk of fraud without complicating access for users with disabilities.
- Blockchain technology offers a tamper-proof solution for voting, providing peace of mind by ensuring that your vote remains secure. This approach enhances transparency and security in the voting process, helping to safeguard the integrity of elections.
Security Measures
To ensure we comply with data privacy rules and regulations, we have taken the initiative to establish a Multi-Factor Authentication System:
Step 1: Government ID Verification [where the user is requested to verify their Government ID]
Step 2: Identity Document Capturing using AI and Computer Vision [where the user is requested to verify their identity documents, e.g., Australian Passport, Driver’s License, Medicare. This is captured via video for security purposes and analyzed via Artificial Intelligence].
Step 3: Phone Number Verification via OTP [User is requested to input their phone number and OTP (One Time Password) is sent to verify this phone number].
Step 4: Blockchain Technology for Vote Security:
- Peaceful Voting: Blockchain technology ensures that all votes are securely recorded, providing peace of mind to users with disabilities that their vote is safe and counted. This transparency and security are critical in building trust among users who may be more vulnerable to fraud or errors.
- Final Confirmation: The confirmation prompt before submitting a vote ensures that users can review their choices, making the voting process more reliable and inclusive.
Moreover, the entire voting process must be completed within a certain period to prevent session timeout.
Step-by-Step Guide to Voting using DigiVote:
App Launch and Language Selection
When users first open the app, they are prompted to choose their preferred language. The interface seamlessly adjusts to their selection using AI-powered translation tools, making the app accessible and user-friendly for Australia’s diverse population.
User Identification
On the next screen, users are asked to enter their first and last names. They are then prompted to verify their identity by scanning a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport. Once the details are confirmed, users can proceed by clicking the "Login" button.
Facial Verification
For additional security, users must hold their ID and record a brief selfie video. This extra step ensures a higher level of accuracy in identity verification, as videos are more difficult to replicate than still images. The process is initiated by tapping the "Start Recording" button, after which the video is submitted for confirmation.
Phone Number and OTP Verification
Next, users are asked to input the last four digits of their registered phone number. An OTP (One-Time Password) is sent to their phone for verification. Once the code is entered, users click "Next" to continue.
Election Selection
After successful identity verification, users are presented with election options, such as the General Election, Local Government Elections, or the Australian Federal Election. They can choose the election they wish to participate in and proceed further.
Terms and Conditions
Before casting their vote, users are required to read and agree to the app's Terms and Conditions. By selecting "Agree," they confirm their understanding and move on to the voting process.
Candidate Selection
A list of candidates, complete with names, photos, and political party affiliations, is displayed. Users can review the candidates and select their preferred option before submitting their votes.
Confirmation Prompt
To ensure that the vote is correct, the app displays a confirmation message asking, "Are you sure?" This informs the user that their vote will be securely recorded on a blockchain system. If they confirm, they can proceed to finalize their choice.
Final Confirmation
A final screen confirms that the vote has been successfully submitted. The app also reminds users that their vote is now permanently stored on a secure blockchain ledger, ensuring its safety and immutability.
App Exit
After submission, a voiceover congratulates the user for participating in the democratic process from the comfort of their own home.
GITHUB DEPO LINK HAS BEEN PROVIDED IN NOTION DOCUMENTT.
Data Story
Data Collection:
Data for the Electoral Commission Vote Tracking Dashboard has been sourced from many trusted sources:
- The Pre Polling Voting Centres dataset shows the location of mobile voting centres available for voting and deployed at hospitals, aged care and other special locations. These mobile voting centres make sure that vulnerable groups are included in the vote.
- Voting in the 2022 Federal Election Votes dataset, which records postal, pre-poll and booth votes across Australia.
- All Senate Candidates provide ballot positions, names, political affiliations, and party groupings for every candidate in every state in Australia – a picture of political representation.
Visualization of Datasets:
- Total Votes by Regions:
- Description: This graph displays the total number of votes cast in different regions across Australia for the year 2022.
- Details: New South Wales (NSW) received the highest number of votes, over 4 million, reflecting its large population and voter base. In contrast, the Northern Territory (NT) had the fewest votes, around 100,000, which aligns with its smaller population size.
- Total MPs by Region:
- Description: This bar graph represents the number of Members of Parliament (MPs) from each region or state.
- Details: Victoria (VIC) has the highest number of MPs at 217, indicative of its larger population and representation. Conversely, the Northern Territory (NT) has the fewest MPs, with only 25, due to its smaller population and representation needs.
- Method of Voting and Voter Turnout:
- Description: This section outlines the different methods used for voting, such as Booth Polling, Absent Voting, and Postal Voting.
- Details: It helps to understand voter behaviour and preferences. For example, a high percentage of postal voting might indicate voters’ convenience preferences or accessibility issues.
- Party Representation:
- Description: The treemap visualizes the number of representatives from each political party within various electoral divisions for the year 2022.
- Details: It shows the distribution of party representation, highlighting the dominance of major parties like the Australian Labor Party and The Greens. The size and colour of each section reflect the number of seats held by each party, providing insight into the political landscape and party strengths in different regions.
Each visual provides different aspects of electoral data, helping stakeholders to analyze voting patterns, representation, and party influence effectively.
Electoral Commission Vote Tracking Dashboard
The Electoral Commission of Australia's Integrated Vote Tracking Dashboard is one of the best dashboards designed to access real-time voting information from around the country of Australia. This dashboard can show key information live time and those are as below the image:
- Total Votes by Regions: The given graph illustrates that most of the votes were from people throughout Australia for the year 2022. According to the dashboard, the highest votes were obtained by New South Wales, which is over 4 million. On the other hand, the territory of the Northern Territory had the least votes compared to the other regions which is barely around 100 thousand.
- Total MPs by Region: This bar graph shows the total number of MPs from all states, so users can quickly see which region contributes more representatives. Here we can see that Victoria (VIC) has the most MPs at 217, while Northern Territory (NT) has at least 25.
- Method of Voting and Voter turnout: The method of voting and the list of people who voted Booth Polling, Absent Voting, and Postal Voting are distributed here. This is helpful to get insight from the electoral officers and stakeholders about the behaviour of the voters.
- Party Representation: There is a tree map in the bottom part of the dashboard. It shows the number of each party’s representation in each electoral division in the year 2022, which reflects the general situation of the predominance of major parties (including the Australian Labor Party and The Greens).
This dashboard is an essential tool for:
- Real-time tracking of voter turnout across different regions and methods.
- Monitoring the performance of political parties during elections.
- Understanding voter preferences for voting methods, helping election organizers plan future elections.
Resources
Data Sets Used for Dashboard
- Title: Pre Polling Voting Centres
Link: https://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/federal_elections/2022/files/downloads/prdelms.gaz.ppvcs.220521.09.00.01.csv
Description: The dataset contains information about special polling locations for the 2022 elections in all states, where mobile teams were deployed, in hospitals and aged care facilities showing how votes were collected from individuals who may not have been able to vote at regular polling booths. The key columns include Division Name (DivNm), Premises Name, Address and Location Data, Dates and Times.
Description of Use:
It highlights the voting process for vulnerable groups who can’t go to booths to vote. The dataset includes details about the dates and times when votes were collected from this group. This is useful for tracking voting periods and ensuring that all times and dates are covered accurately in the dashboard’s real-time monitoring.
- Title: 2022 Federal Election Votes
Link: https://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/Federal_Elections/2022/files/downloads/senate-candidates.csv
Description:
This dataset provides detailed voting information from the 2022 elections in all States. It includes the number of votes cast at various polling places, including absent, postal, pre-poll, and provisional voting stations. The dataset also tracks votes from multiple specific polling booths and voting centers. Key fields include division name, CCD (Census Collection District) ID, polling place (PP) name, polling place ID, and the number of votes.
Description of Use: This data provided comprehensive insights for improving election logistics, resource allocation, and voter experience tracking.
This dataset is integrated into voting application dashboard to Track real-time voting, geographical insights, and voter analytics.
- Title: All Senate Candidates-
Link: https://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/Federal_Elections/2022/files/downloads/senate-candidates.csv
Description: This dataset contains the list of Senate candidates from all of the States, with their ballot positions, names, political party affiliations, and groupings. The key columns include: Ballot Position, Surname and Given Name, Group Name (e.g., Australian Labor Party, Liberal, The Greens) and Party Ballot Name (e.g., United Australia Party, Legalise Cannabis Australia).
Description of Use: The dashboard show users the full list of candidates for their region, including party affiliations and ballot positions where Users can search or filter by party, group, or specific candidates.
Other Data Sets:
https://www.aec.gov.au/Voting/ways_to_vote/
Downloads and statistics - Australian Electoral Commission (aec.gov.au)
https://www.aec.gov.au/electorates/maps.htm
https://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/Publications/electoral_pocketbook/index.htm
https://www.aec.gov.au/elections/federal_elections/voter-turnout.htm
https://www.aec.gov.au/Electorates/gis/gis_datadownload.htm
General
https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/amish.patel1054/viz/ElectoralCommissionofAustraliaIntegratedVoteTrackingSystem/Dashboard1
https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-us-subsite/files/strengthening-australian-democracy.pdf
https://aec.gov.au/assistance/files/Factsheet-Voting-information-for-people-with-disability-and-mobility-restrictions.pdf
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/people-with-disability/prevalence-of-disability
https://australiandisabilitynetwork.org.au/resources/disability-statistics/
https://www.nationalassistancecard.com.au/information-for/people-with-disability-health-conditions:~:text=The National Assistance Card is,cardholder needs assistance or support
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