Block-chain based electronic voting system

Abstract

A block-chain based electronic voting system an input module for accumulating credential(s) and biological parameter(s), digital signature from a voter, a verification unit for matching the credential(s) with a pre-defined set of rules and digital signature, parameter(s) with a pre-stored data, a computing unit that encodes a link into a digital code upon successful matching, a user platform that is accessed by the voter for scanning the code to open the link within the time period for giving vote to respective candidate, an encryption unit to transmute the vote into an encrypted block to preserve the identity of voter unknown and retain high security; and a block-chain based storage for securely retrieving the block and storing the block in a decentralized manner.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to voting systems. More specifically the present invention relates to a block-chain based electronic voting system for ensuring that the identity of voter remains anonymous throughout the voting process.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Voting is a method for a group of people or community, such as a meeting oran electorate, for making a collective decision or express the major viewpoint of thegroup usually following discussions, debates or election campaigns. Democracieschoose holders of high office by voting only. Candidates of a place represented by anelected official are called "constituents", and those constituents who cast a ballot fortheir chosen candidate are called "voters".

[0003] There are different systems for collecting votes. The conventional methodwas paper based method but that method was too slow, had low tallying speed andhad zero security. Then in current times, electronic voting systems are developed andwidely used in countries which are convenient and flexible in nature, have hightallying speed but the current electronic voting systems are attack prone andvulnerable.

[0004] To solve the issues of current electronic voting systems, many securityapproach are implemented in the current systems, but the experts (i.e. hackers)illegally fetches out the identity of voters and modifies the votes. Also the currentvoting systems are centralized, where a single entity has complete control over thesystem which increase the chance of plain text attack or brute force attack.

[0005] CN201259698Y discloses a remote e-voting system, which comprises a mainvenue, branch venues, a counting center and a network connecting the venues and thecenter; the main venue comprises a voting terminal, a display terminal and amanagement terminal; and the voting terminal, the display terminal and themanagement terminal are respectively connected with the counting center throughwired network. The system adopts card readers and other voting terminals to solvethe limitations on space, time and way in the traditional voting and eliminate thefussy preparations before the voting through network. The remote evotingsystem can be applied to personnel election, personnel voting,event voting and democratic discussion; the utility model can be voted in large andsmall single venue and also can be used in a plurality of geographically dispersedvenues for interconnecting voting. The entire voting process realizes real-timecounting and statistics through the information means and achieves high speed, highsafety, high security and high reliability.

[0006] Currently, various system are developed and have their presence in the marketthat provide the facility of electronic voting. But these systems are ineffective anddoes not provide security from brute force attack or plain text attack.

[0007] Therefore, there exists a need to provide a block-chain based electronic voting system that ensures that the identity of voter remains anonymous throughout voting process and uses block-chain technology which is based on decentralized network where, all the nodes have equal computational power, thereby making the system more secure.OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a block- chain electronicvoting system to ensure votes cannot be tampered or altered.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a block-chain electronicvoting system to maintain the identity of voter anonymous.

[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system that countlive vote which are visible to the public throughout the process to achieve necessarylevel of transparency.

[0011] The foregoing and other objects of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferredembodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention relates to a block chain based electronic voting systemto ensure votes cannot be tampered or altered, thereby maintaining the identity ofvoter anonymous throughout the voting process and providing necessary level oftransparency for creating trust among the voters.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a block chain basedelectronic voting system, comprise of an input module installed in the system forcollecting credential(s) (such as name, Pan card number) and biological parameter(s)(i.e. fingerprint, iris, voice patterns) and digital signature from a voter, a verificationunit in association with the input module for authenticating the voter, parameter(s)with a pre-stored data, a computing unit connected with the verification unit thatencodes a link into a digital code(i.e. QR code) upon successful matching, a userplatform (like smart phone, scanner) wirelessly linked with the computing unit that isaccessed by the voter for scanning the code to open the link for giving vote torespective candidate , an encryption unit connected with the platform to transform thevote into an encrypted block to keep the identity of voter anonymous and ensureshigh security and a block-chain based storage unit associated with the encryption unitfor securely retrieving the block and storing the block in a decentralized manner.

[0014] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of block-chain electronic voting system.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The following description includes the preferred best mode of oneembodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of theinvention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but thatthe invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto.Therefore the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting.While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternativeconstructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the inventionto the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover allmodifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit andscope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0017] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising,""comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having "and"characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases"consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respectiveclosed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0018] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both thesingular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0019] The present invention relates to a block chain based electronic voting systemthat incorporates the use of cryptographic elements such block chain and data hidingfor maintaining high security during voting process and ensuring that the voter'sidentity remain anonymous.

[0020] Referring to Figure 1, a block diagram of block chain based electronic votingsystem is illustrated. The system comprise of an input module, verification unit,computing unit, user-platform, encryption unit, block-chain based storage unit.

[0021] The input module is installed in the system for fetching a set of credential(s)and biological parameter(s) along with a digital signature from the voter Thecredential(s) include name, address, phone number but not limited to mobile number,Pan card number whereas parameter(s) are selected from fingerprint, iris but notrestricted to facial and voice patterns. The digital signature is a process thatguarantees that the credentials and parameters have not been altered in transit. Theinput module comprise of input devices such as scanner, keyboard, mouse by whichthe voter can input the credentials and parameters in the system.

[0022] The digital signature is equivalent to traditional handwritten signature;properly implemented digital signatures are more difficult to copy than thehandwritten type. The digital signature is implemented using cryptography. Thedigital signatures also provide acknowledgement, meaning that the signer (i.e. voter)cannot successfully claim they did not sign a message, while also claiming theircredentials and parameters remains secret.

[0023] The verification unit is present in association with the input module thatreceives the credential(s) (such as name, addresses) and parameter(s) (facial andvoice patterns), digital signature for verification process. The credential(s) arematched with a pre-defined set of rules and the parameter(s), signature are matchedwith a pre-stored data. The set of rules are basically eligibility criteria that may varyaccording to rules of a country. The pre-stored data comprise of original documentsand information.

[0024] For instance, the voter provides name, address, Pan Card number, digitalsignature and parameters such as iris and voice pattern then this data is send to theverification unit for authentication purpose. The pan card number and name ismatched with a pre-stored data stored in the database and then matched with a set ofeligibility criteria such as age above 18 years, Indian, should have name in the voterlist. Then the parameters (iris and voice patterns), digital signature are matched withoriginal patterns and signature stored in the database. If all the data provided by thevoter matches successful then the voter is considered as verified and a voter ID isallocated to the voter. Else the voter is blocked from the voting process.

[0025] The computing unit is connected with the verification unit that encodes avoting link into a digital code upon successful matching, where the code is valid for alimited time period preferably ranging from 5 to 10 minutes. The link used herein ishyperlink that allows to voter to reach to the voting portal where the voter gives voteaccording to the region / district.

[0026] The link is encrypted using RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) protocol whichgenerates a corresponding a public key. For size compression and unification, the linkis compressed with a cryptographic code along with the corresponding public keyinto a zip file and then a QR Code is generated for the newly created zip file.

[0027] The protocol used for cryptographic code is Elliptic Curve protocol. TheElliptic-curve cryptography (ECC) is an approach to public-key cryptography basedon the algebraic structure of elliptic curves over finite fields. ECC requires smallerkeys compared to non-EC cryptography to provide equivalent security.

[0028] The RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) protocol is also used for decrypting thelink. This protocol is an asymmetric cryptographic protocol. Asymmetric means thatthere are two different keys. This is also called public key cryptography, because oneof the keys can be given to anyone. The other key must be kept private, hence thisprotocol generate two keys (i.e. private and public). The QR code is send to the voteron the mobile number as well as electronic mail address provided by the voter as aninput.

[0029] The user platform is wirelessly linked with the computing unit that isaccessed by the voter for scanning the code to open the link within said time periodfor giving vote to respective candidate. The user platform used herein is electively asmart phone but not restricted to electronic scanners, laptop and tablets. When thevoter scans the QR code, the link gets open in the platform which shows the votingportal.

[0030] The voting portal is a web portal that shows a list of contesting candidate inthe elections according to the district / region mentioned in the credentials. The voter ispermitted to vote only one candidate. The vote provided by the voter is transferred tothe encryption unit that is connected with the platform to transform the vote into anencrypted block to keep the identity of voter anonymous and maintain high security.

[0031] The block consists of meta-data like timestamp, last hash, hash, nonce anddifficulty. The data stored in block includes a list of hash of voter ids and votes.Timestamp: indicates the time when the block is created. Last Hash: hash of theprevious block in the block chain. Last hash creates a link between subsequent blocksin the chain. Difficulty: the number of leading zeroes that a block hash should have,the difficulty is adjusted dynamically according to the mine rate. Nonce: a nonce is anarbitrary number used only once in a cryptographic communication, the nonce arerandom or pseudorandom numbers. Hash: input for the block hash includes the datathat it stores plus other meta data about the block. Block data combined with nonceproduces the hash that satisfies the difficulty set. Hash of voter ids: the list of hash ofvoter identities is stored in the block to check if a voter has already voted or not.

[0032] When the voter casts a vote, it will be signed by the private key. The hash ofthe voter ID will be added to a voter ID pool and the signed vote is added as atransaction in a transaction pool map which is updated accordingly. The content ofboth the pools when updated are broadcasted to other nodes in the network which areaccepted after they pass the validation tests. To ensure that the voter has not votedbefore, hash of the voter id must not be present in the voter-ID pool and in the blockchain.

[0033] The hash of the voter ID is generated by a hashing protocol i.e. SHA-256.The SHA-256 is a member of the SHA-2 cryptographic hash functions designed bythe National Security Agency. This protocol have cryptographic hash functions thatare mathematical operations run on digital data; by comparing the computed "hash"to a known and expected hash value.

[0034] The encryption unit ensures that votes cannot be tampered or altered therebycreating trust among the users. The immutability property of block chain technologyfurther makes tampering impossible. The Block chain technology being decentralizedall the nodes in the network have equal computational power. The dynamic difficultyadjustment factor improves the efficiency of the proposed system.

[0035] As all blocks in the chain are linked by last hash reference and anymodification in the block will change its hash completely it becomes computationallyexpensive and impossible for the attacker to modify the blocks. The system achievesnecessary level of transparency as the blocks and live vote count are visible to thepublic throughout the process.

[0036] The block-chain based storage unit is associated with the encryption unit forsecurely retrieving the block and storing the block in a decentralized manner. Theblock is wirelessly retrieved by the help of secure computer networks, whichcomprise of multiple nodes. All the nodes in the network carry out the necessaryvalidation tests before accepting a transaction or a newly mined block. Thus, thesystem ensures that necessary tests have been carried at each step.

[0037] As an alternate embodiment, the system can be accessed by a candidate also, where the candidate also provide the candidature data and upon successful matching with the set of rules and parameters, the candidate is registered officially. A prediction unit may be installed in the system which will forecast a winner according to the votes provided by the user by the help of artificial intelligence technology.

[0038] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore contemplated that such modifications.

Claims

1. A block-chain based electronic voting system, comprising of: i. an input module installed in said system for collecting credential(s), biological parameter(s) and digital signature from a voter; ii. a verification unit in association with said input module for matching said credential(s) with a pre-defined set of rules and two factor authentication of said parameter(s), signature; iii. a computing unit connected with said verification unit that encodes a link into a digital code upon successful matching, wherein said code is valid for a limited time period; iv. a user platform wirelessly linked with said computing unit accessed by said voter for scanning said code to open said link for giving vote to respective candidate; v. an encryption unit connected with said platform to transform said vote into an encrypted block to keep the identity of voter anonymous and maintain high security; and vi. a block-chain based storage unit associated with said encryption unit for securely retrieving said block and storing said block in a decentralized manner.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said credential(s) include name, age, phone number but not restricted to PAN number, electronic mail address.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said parameter(s) are selected from fingerprint, face but not restricted to iris, voice patterns.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rules includes age limit (above 18), nationality.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said code is preferably a QR code that is generated via RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) protocol to avoid plain text attack or any brute force attack.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said time period have a range of 5 minute to 10 minute.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said user platform is electively a smart phone or scanner.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said block consists of meta-data like timestamp, last hash, hash, nonce and difficulty to keep the identity of voter anonymous throughout the voting process.