Journal of Positive School Psychology http://journalppw.

com
2022, Vol. 7, No. 2, 594 – 605

ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEM AND PUBLIC TRUST: AN

ASSESSMENT OF THE VOTERS’ PERCEPTION IN
DISTRICT PESHAWAR

Farmanullah1, Arbab Haris Ahmad2, Iltaf Khan3, Safia Ali4, Saeeda Sharif5
1
Assistant Professor, Pakistan Study Centre, University of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Email:
[email protected]
2
MPhil Scholar, Pakistan Study Centre, University of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Email:
[email protected]
3
Subject Specialist Elementary and Secondary Education, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, Email:
[email protected]
4
Visiting Lecturer, Women University Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Email: [email protected]
5
Lecturer of Pakistan Studies, Government Frontier College for Women, Peshawar. Email:
[email protected]

Abstract
This study examines perception of voters in Peshawar district about electronic voting system for
building pubic trust in the electoral process. The evaluation was made based on its utility, its role in
reducing electoral malpractices, improving reliability, voter recognition, and discouraging vote
buying. The study is quantitative, and its scope is limited to the district of Peshawar. The information
was gathered via a questionnaire from 400 respondents in the Peshawar District using convenience
sampling. The frequency, percentage, and chi-square tests were used to analyse the data. The data was
further refined by incorporating various independent variables such as area, gender, age, and literacy.

Keywords: Electronic Voting System, District Peshawar, Elections, Voting, Voters.

INTRODUCTION the votes rapidly. It is easier to prevent fraud

and rigging than it was with the manual voting
The Electronic Voting (E-voting) System, in
system. It is also more accessible for those
contrast to traditional paper-based voting,
voters, particularly those who are partially
refers to a system wherein electronic means are
sighted, because an audio ballot paper is likely
employed in the voting process, comprising
to be efficient for blind people. Additionally,
marking of the ballot paper, vote recording,
foreign citizens who are living away from their
data/information coding for transmission to the
country can easily cast their vote. Manual
main server, and consolidation and tabulation
voting is more costly than electronic voting. E-
of the final election result (Shanab, 2010: 265-
voting may save money (Alvarez, 2008: 138-
266). An effective e-voting system must ensure
142; Puiggali, 2007: 20-28).
electoral transparency, cyber-security,
accuracy, swiftness, privacy, approachability, E-voting is a new concept for an ordinary
objectivity, cost-effectiveness, and contextual person. It may take some time for those who
(social/cultural) sustainability (Traunmüller, are illiterate, in particular, to understand e-
2003: 7-14). voting.IT specialists, known for "hacking
programs," may enter the electronic
Some advantages may reduce the barriers in the
programming of the e-voting machines and
e-voting system. First of all, it is easier to count
595 Journal of Positive School Psychology

change the results of the election and the choice is automatically recorded in the system
privacy of voters. Electronic voting machines through a removable or portable storage device.
can be costly for poor countries (Benoist, 2007: After the polls close, the voting data from the
29-37). Depending on the upgrade of electronic various polling stations is aggregated in a
equipment and technology used in the electoral central computing system, which computes the
process, the evolution and typology of the e- overall result (Zissis, 2011: 56-57). The first
voting system can be divided into four DRE voting occurred during the 2004
categories. The typology includes a punch card presidential elections in the United States
voting system, an optical scanning voting (Chaum et al. 2010: 175).
system, a direct recording electronic (DRE)
The discovery of the internet has made it
voting system, and a remote Internet voting
convenient for voters to cast their votes.
system (Gritzalis, 2003: 4-15; Jones, 2001).
Internet voting has been divided into three
Under the punched card system, voters insert a categories. The first category is polling site
blank yellow card from the top into the punch internet voting, which includes client machines
card voting machine at the polling place. The that are physically present at the polling station
voters then use a ballot booklet to punch their and controlled by official polling staff. The
choices into individual holes on the card to voter visits the polling station and casts his vote
mark their electoral preference. The device through the client machine in the presence of
identifies the punch mark and records the vote polling staff. The authentication of the voter is
accordingly. This recorded vote is segregated controlled by the official polling staff. The
for the total result. The punched card voting second type is kiosk internet voting, in which
machines were first used in the USA in 1964 the client machines are controlled by the
for the primary presidential elections in polling staff. However, the client machines are
Georgia and also in the 2000 presidential not present at the polling station; instead, these
elections (Everett, 2007: 5-6). machines are provided at various public places
like shopping malls, schools, libraries, etc. The
Under the optical scanning voting system, the
authentication of the voter is not directly
voter inserts a machine-readable ballot,
controlled by the official polling staff. The
counting the names of the candidates, into a
third type is remote internet voting, in which
scanning machine. The voter indicates his
both the client machines and environment are
choice by filling in the symbol next to each
not controlled by the official polling staff. The
candidate. The card is then fed into the
voters cast their votes at their convenience from
computerised vote tabulating device, which
their homes, workplaces, or public internet
identifies the mark and records the vote
places. The authentication process is controlled
accordingly. The recorded votes are aggregated
by the voter. For the first time, internet voting
for the total result. This system is also called a
was allowed in Switzerland in 2003, increasing
"mark-sense optical scanning system" (Celeste,
turnout by allowing remote voters to vote
2006: 39). Between the 1960s and the 1990s,
(Kersting, 2004: 6-7).
mark-sense scanning voting was used in the
United States (Hao, 2017: 63).It was initially Currently, many countries are practising the e-
used for various educational colleges’ entrance voting method in the form of DRE (Electronic
tests between 1960 and 1996. In 1996, this Voting Machines—EVMs) or remote internet
system was used in US presidential elections, voting, or a combination of both. Countries
where 24.6% of voters used it along with the with electronic voting machines are the USA,
punched card voting system (Stenbro, 2010: 8- Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy,
14). Kazakhstan, Namibia, the Philippines, South
Korea, the United Kingdom, Scotland, Bhutan,
Under the DRE system, the voter directly
and Belgium. Similarly, countries with remote
marks his choice on the electronic device by
internet voting are Switzerland, Canada,
using the touch screen or push buttons at the
Finland, Estonia, France, Spain, and Norway.
polling station (Lindner, 2016, 138). The voting
India and Australia, for example, have
Farmanullah 596

electronic voting machines and remote internet historical background of US elections. The next
voting (Zissis, 2011: 59-70; Alvarez, 2008:76- debate will be with critics from the American
78). public. The United States Election Commission
then explains the critics in a theoretical context
Pakistan currently uses a manual paper-based
related to electronic voting. It describes the
voting system. After every single election,
successes and failures of electronic and paper-
irregularities are noticed by the political parties
based voting. However, there is a dearth of
and other stakeholders. As a result, various
information highlighting the role of the e-
inquiry committees are formed in post-election
voting system in building public trust in the
scenarios to investigate anomalies and
electoral process.
recommend next steps for electoral
transparency and public trust (Khan et al., Celeste (2006) has thoroughly criticised the
2011: 5-30). Various recommendations and electronic voting system. Many information
electoral reforms are kept in front of different technologists and activists have raised
stakeholders as a remedy to curb or decrease important concerns regarding the security of
rigging (Khawaja, 2016: 1-2). E-voting such systems. The introduction of electronic
adoption is one of many recommendations voting systems is intended to make elections
propounded by various stakeholders to lower better. However, the electronic voting sceptics
electoral malpractices. However, due to the have raised important questions about the
number of barriers, the e-voting system has not security, accuracy, and reliability of electronic
been implemented so far (Khan et al., 2011: voting systems that should not be discouraged
131–32). Pakistan has adopted an e-voting or suppressed.
system to develop remote internet voting for
Gritzalis (2003) traces the history of the
those overseas in the 2018 general elections on
electronic voting system in the form of the
a successful trial basis (Haq et al., 2019: 1-2).
punched card system and the optical scanning
The present study will provide an overview of
voting system. The cards used by these
the challenges faced by the e-voting system and
machines are printed with rows of marks where
highlight its importance in building public trust
holes can be punched. The names of the
in the electoral process in Pakistan.
candidates are not printed on the cards
themselves but rather on a ballot holder device
that looks something like a book with
LITERATURE REVIEW:
cardboard pages. Optical scan systems are a
Most of the available literature has focused on popular alternative to punch-card systems.
electoral malpractices or recommendations for Voters use a pen or pencil to fill in an oval or
addressing these electoral irregularities. Some connect dots on a paper ballot. A machine
of the literature has covered the nature and scans these ballots to count the votes. Both
background of the electronic voting system, punch card and optical voting systems can be
while others have covered various forms of tempered during the counting process. A
electronic voting systems. However, a small computerised voting machine allows voters to
gap is found in the available literature register their votes using a touch screen.
concerning the role of the e-voting system in However, there is a dearth of information
building public trust in the electoral process in highlighting the role of the e-voting system in
Pakistan. The following are some of the building public trust in the electoral process.
sources in the literature review:
Kersting (2004) has covered e-voting in the
Alvarez (2008) elaborates in his work on some form of electronic devices employed for
issues confronting the American public during electronic voting. It discusses various barriers
the 2004 general elections. This book includes in the way of the online voting system.
the evolution of electronic voting machines in Constitutional and normative issues related to
the USA. To understand the new technology, it online voting are debated, and reservations
is necessary to first understand the brief concerning internet voting are forcefully
597 Journal of Positive School Psychology

formulated. However, there is a shortage of electoral process in Pakistan in light of public

information when it comes to highlighting the perception in the Peshawar district.
role of the e-voting system in building public
Quantitative Method
trust in the electoral process.
Data have been collected through a quantitative
Khan etal. (2011) discusses several factors that
method in order to examine the role of the e-
are impeding the implementation of the e-
voting system in building public trust and
voting system.The system requires qualified
confidence in the electoral process in Pakistan
people who have knowledge about the
in light of public perception in the district of
technology and can train people about the e-
Peshawar.
voting system. Implementing a sound and
secure e-voting system is not a simple task. In Sampling and Sampling Procedure
Pakistan, there are many challenges in
implementing an e-voting system. However, The universe of the study is the district of
the article places little emphasis on the role of Peshawar. According to the census of 2017, the
the e-voting system in building public trust in total population of the district of Peshawar is
the electoral process. 426,079 people. According to the Yamane
Formula (1967), a representative sample of 400
Lindner (2016) discusses the key findings respondents has been selected through non-
derived from the analysis of the three main probability sampling, i.e., convenience
interrelated and partially overlapping sampling.
perspectives on electronic democracy in
Europe. It discusses European public opinion Yamane Formula is as under:
regarding the e-voting system. It has analysed 𝑁
the empirical findings in various European n=
1 + 𝑁(𝑒)2
countries regarding e-participation and e-voting Where
activities in Europe. However, the article places
little emphasis on the role of the e-voting “n” is the sample size
system in building public trust in the electoral
“N” is population size
process in Pakistan.
“e” is sample error or level of precision
Zissis (2011) discusses electronic voting and its
various forms. It includes an empirical analysis Here the sample error will be 5% while the
about the choices of voters in adopting the e- confidence level will be 95%.
voting system. The voters support the e-voting
system with more security, privacy, and Based on Yamane Formula, the sample size for
accuracy. It highlights many shortcomings in district Peshawar will be calculated as:
the 2000 US elections and discusses various 4269079
remedies for them. However, it has not focused n =
1 + 4269079(0.05)2
on the e-voting system in terms of Pakistan. 4269079
n =
RESEARCH QUESTION: 1 + 4269079(0.0025)
4269079
n =
How can the e-voting system be helpful in 1 + 10672.6975
building public trust in the electoral process in 4269079
n =
Pakistan? 10673.6975
n = 399.9625 Or 400
Thus, a total of 400 respondents have been
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: taken from the district of Peshawar as a sample
The quantitative method has been used in the size. The respondents have been selected from
study. Quantitative data have been collected to various categories in the following way:
highlight the role of the e-voting system in
building public trust and confidence in the
Farmanullah 598

Categor Urban Rural Tota iii. The casting of votes through an e-

y Respondents Respondents l voting system will increase the reliability of the
Mal Femal Mal Femal electoral process.
e e e e
iv. The casting of votes through the e-
Literate 50 50 50 50 200
voting system will be helpful in identifying the
Illiterate 50 50 50 50 200 voters.
Total 100 100 100 100 400 v. The casting of votes through an e-
voting system will discourage vote-buying.
Quantitative Data Analysis: All these statements have been measured on a
5-point Likert Scale ranging from strongly
Quantitative data have been analysed with the
agreeing to strongly disagreeing.
help of SPSS software by dividing into two
categories, i.e., descriptive and inferential Independent Variables
statistics. In descriptive statistics, the analysis
has been made in the form of frequencies and Area division (urban and rural), gender (male
percentages. In inferential statistics, the and female), and literacy (literate and illiterate)
analysis has been based on the chi-square test constitute independent variables of the study.
and p-value. DATA ANALYSIS:
VARIABLES OF THE STUDY: All the above five dependent variables have
Dependent Variables been analysed in terms of area, gender, and
literacy. The analysis includes both descriptive
The following closed-ended statements statistics and inferential statistics. In descriptive
constitute the dependent variables of the study. statistics, the analysis has been made via
frequency distribution and percentage. In
i. The casting of votes through an
inferential statistics, the analysis has been made
electronic voting system is good.
with the help of chi-square and p-value. The
ii. E-voting system will decrease electoral analysis of these five dependent variables is as
malpractices in Pakistan. follows:
THE EXPERIENCE OF CASTING OF E-VOTE
Area Consideration
Table: 01
Casting of vote through electronic voting system is good.
Strongly Strongly
Agree Neutral Disagree
Agree Disagree
Count 123 46 16 13 2 200
Rural % of Total 30.8% 11.5% 4.0% 3.3% 0.5% 50.0%

Count 134 34 13 19 0 200

Urban % of Total 33.5% 8.5% 3.3% 4.8% 0.0% 50.0%
Count 257 80 29 32 2 400
Total
% of Total 64.3% 20.0% 7.3% 8.0% 0.5% 100.0%
x2 value=5.706, P-Value=.222
The majority of the respondents (64.3%) say a lot of people consider it good to cast their
that they agree with the electronic voting vote through an electronic voting system. So it
system. In terms of area, the majority of the is concluded that the e-voting system will not
urban population (33.5%) said that they know be unfamiliar to the voters.
about electronic voting system. This means that
599 Journal of Positive School Psychology

Gender Consideration
Table: 02
Casting of vote through electronic voting system is good.
Strongly Strongly
Agree Neutral Disagree Total
Agree Disagree
Gender Male Count 128 39 13 19 1 200
% of Total 32.0% 9.8% 3.3% 4.8% 0.3% 50.0%
Female Count 129 41 16 13 1 200
% of Total 32.3% 10.3% 4.0% 3.3% 0.3% 50.0%
Total Count 257 80 29 32 2 400
% of Total 64.3% 20.0% 7.3% 8.0% 0.5% 100.0%
x2 value=1.489, P-Value=.829
The vast majority of respondents (64.3%) are voters. We conclude that we received a rare
familiar with electronic voting machines. In sample, which is ineffective or a null
terms of gender, the majority of the male hypothesis.
respondents (32.3%) say that they know about
Literacy-Based Consideration
electronic voting systems. This means that the
majority of people are aware of the electronic A large number of illiterate participants have
voting system. So it is concluded that the e- expressed their point of view in favour of
voting system will not be unfamiliar to the voting through an electronic system.
Table: 03
Casting of vote through electronic voting system is good.
Strongly Strongly
Agree Neutral Disagree Total
Agree Disagree
Qualification Literate Count 109 52 20 18 1 200
% of Total 27.3% 13.0% 5.0% 4.5% 0.3% 50.0%
Illiterate Count 148 28 9 14 1 200
% of Total 37.0% 7.0% 2.3% 3.5% 0.3% 50.0%
Total Count 257 80 29 32 2 400
% of Total 64.3% 20.0% 7.3% 8.0% 0.5% 100.0%

x2 value=17.791, P-Value=.001
The majority of the respondents (64.3%) say are aware of electronic voting machines. It is
that they are familiar with biometric systems. concluded that voters will be familiar with the
In terms of qualification, illiterate respondents e-voting system. The significance p-value
(37.0%) say that they know about electronic shows that there is an association between
voting systems. This means that a lot of people gender and knowledge of the e-voting system.
KNOWING ABOUT THE DECREASE IN MALPRACTICES IN ELECTRONIC VOTING
MACHINES
Area Consideration
Table: 04
E-voting system will decrease electoral malpractices in Pakistan.
Strongly Strongly
Agree Neutral Disagree Total
Agree Disagree
Count 94 51 38 14 3 200
Rural % of Total 23.5% 12.8% 9.5% 3.5% 0.8% 50.0%
Area
Urban Count 85 62 32 18 3 200
Farmanullah 600

% of Total 21.3% 15.5% 8.0% 4.5% 0.8% 50.0%

Count 179 113 70 32 6 400
Total
% of Total 44.8% 28.3% 17.5% 8.0% 1.5% 100.0%
x2 value=26.849, P-Value=.000
A total of (44.8% ) respondents expressed their change the election process and decrease the
views about the question asked. In terms of malpractices of the electoral process. This
area, the majority of the rural respondents means that some numbers of rural people are in
(23.5%) say that applying electronic voting will favour of electronic voting.
Gender Consideration

Table: 05
E-voting system will decrease electoral malpractices in Pakistan.
Strongly Strongly
Agree Neutral Disagree Total
Agree Disagree
Count 97 53 28 19 3 200
Male % of Total 24.3% 13.3% 7.0% 4.8% 0.8% 50.0%
Gender
Count 82 60 42 13 3 200
Female
% of Total 20.5% 15.0% 10.5% 3.3% 0.8% 50.0%
Count 179 113 70 32 6 400
Total % of Total 44.8% 28.3% 17.5% 8.0% 1.5% 100.0%

x2 value=5.616, P-Value=.230
A number of respondents (44.8%) say that they elections. This means that a lot of people are
are familiar with malpractices in the electoral aware of electoral rigging in elections. It is
process. In terms of gender, the majority of the concluded that e-voting systems are known to
male respondents (24.3%) have shown their the voters.
response that they are aware of such rigging in
Literacy-Based Consideration
Table: 06
E-voting system will decrease electoral malpractices in Pakistan.
Strongly Strongly
Agree Neutral Disagree Total
Agree Disagree
Count 85 56 35 18 6 200
Literate % of Total 21.3% 14.0% 8.8% 4.5% 1.5% 50.0%
Qualification
Count 94 57 35 14 0 200
Illiterate % of Total 23.5% 14.3% 8.8% 3.5% 0.0% 50.0%
Count 179 113 70 32 6 400
Total % of Total 44.8% 28.3% 17.5% 8.0% 1.5% 100.0%
x2 value=6.961, P-Value=.138
The total number of respondents (44.8%) that a number of people are aware of
shows their opinion on election rigging.In malpractice in elections. It is concluded that
terms of qualification, the majority of the voters are acquainted with the electronic voting
illiterate respondents (23.5%) say that they are system.
familiar with rigging in elections. This means
601 Journal of Positive School Psychology

KNOWLEDGE ABOUT RELIABILITY ON E-MACHINES

Area Consideration
Table: 07
Casting of vote through e-voting system will increase reliability in electoral process.
Strongly Strongly
Agree Neutral Disagree Total
Agree Disagree
Area Rural Count 102 44 45 6 3 200
% of Total 25.5% 11.0% 11.3% 1.5% 0.8% 50.0%
Urban Count 65 43 78 14 0 200
% of Total 16.3% 10.8% 19.5% 3.5% 0.0% 50.0%
Total Count 167 87 123 20 3 400
% of Total 41.8% 21.8% 30.8% 5.0% 0.8% 100.0%
x2 value=23.263, P-Value=.000
The electronic voting system was deemed to the voters. The significance p-value shows
reliable by the majority of respondents that there is an association between gender and
(41.8%).In terms of area, the majority of the knowledge of the e-voting system.
rural respondents (25.5%) say that the
Gender Consideration
electronic voting system will create an
enormous change in electronic voting. This In terms of gender, male participants show their
means that a lot of people are aware of the preference for the reliability of the electronic
electronic voting system. So, it is concluded voting system. Hence, it will increase in
that the e-voting system will not be unfamiliar reliability with the passage of time.
Table: 08
Casting of vote through e-voting system will increase reliability in electoral process.
Strongly Strongly
Agree Neutral Disagree Total
Agree Disagree
Count 89 45 52 12 2 200
Male % of Total 22.3% 11.3% 13.0% 3.0% 0.5% 50.0%
Gender
Count 78 42 71 8 1 200
Female % of Total 19.5% 10.5% 17.8% 2.0% 0.3% 50.0%
Count 167 87 123 20 3 400
Total
% of Total 41.8% 21.8% 30.8% 5.0% 0.8% 100.0%

x2 value=4.896, P-Value=.298
The majority of the respondents (41.8%) say This means that a number of people agreed
that they have an electronic voting system. In with electronic voting. So it is concluded that
terms of gender, the majority of the male the e-voting system will not be unfamiliar to
respondents (22.3%) showed their response. the voters.
Male participants agree with the statement.
Literacy-Based Consideration
Table: 09
Casting of vote through e-voting system will increase reliability in electoral process.
Strongly Strongly
Agree Neutral Disagree Total
Agree Disagree
Count 78 71 40 8 3 200
Literate % of Total 19.5% 17.8% 10.0% 2.0% 0.8% 50.0%
Qualification
Illiterate Count 89 16 83 12 0 200
Farmanullah 602

% of Total 22.3% 4.0% 20.8% 3.0% 0.0% 50.0%

Count 167 87 123 20 3 400
Total
% of Total 41.8% 21.8% 30.8% 5.0% 0.8% 100.0%
x2 value=54.327, P-Value=.000
The majority of the respondent (41.8%) asserts electronic voting. It is concluded that the e-
that casting votes through electronic machines voting system will be familiar to voters. The
will create reliability in this new emerging significance p-value shows that there is an
system. In terms of qualification, 22.3% of association between gender and knowledge of
illiterate respondents say that they know about the e-voting system.
KNOWLEDGE ABOUT IDENTIFICATION OF VOTERS
Area Consideration
Table: 10
Casting of vote through e-voting system will be helpful in identifying the voters.
Strongly Strongly
Agree Neutral Disagree Total
Agree Disagree
Count 85 50 59 6 0 200
Rural % of Total 21.3% 12.5% 14.8% 1.5% 0.0% 50.0%
Area Count 73 34 77 14 2 200
Urban % of Total 18.3% 8.5% 19.3% 3.5% 0.5% 50.0%

Count 158 84 136 20 2 400

Total % of Total 39.5% 21.0% 34.0% 5.0% 0.5% 100.0%

x2 value=11.541, P-Value=.021
The majority of the population (39.5%) people are aware of electronic voting. Hence, it
believes that voters will be identified through is concluded that the e-voting system has to be
the electronic voting system. Additionally, promoted through the media. The significance
21.3% of the rural population is in favour of p-value shows that there is an association
voter identification through electronic between gender and knowledge of the e-voting
machines. This means that a small number of system.
Gender Consideration

Casting of vote through e-voting system will be helpful in identifying the voters.
Strongly Strongly
Agree Neutral Disagree Total
Agree Disagree
Count 89 42 57 11 1 200
Male % of Total 22.3% 10.5% 14.3% 2.8% 0.3% 50.0%
Gender Count 69 42 79 9 1 200
Female % of Total 17.3% 10.5% 19.8% 2.3% 0.3% 50.0%

Count 158 84 136 20 2 400

Total
% of Total 39.5% 21.0% 34.0% 5.0% 0.5% 100.0%
x2 value=35.354, P-Value=.000
The majority of respondents (60.5%) agreed electronic voting machines to identify voters. It
that the e-voting system can easily be used to means that a large number of people want an
identify voters. In terms of gender, the majority electronic voting system as opposed to a
of male respondents (22.3%) support the use of manual voting system.
603 Journal of Positive School Psychology

Literacy-Based Consideration
Table: 12
Casting of vote through e-voting system will be helpful in identifying the voters.
Strongly Strongly
Agree Neutral Disagree Total
Agree Disagree
Count 83 61 45 9 2 200
Literate % of Total 20.8% 15.3% 11.3% 2.3% 0.5% 50.0%
Qualification Count 75 23 91 11 0 200
Illiterate % of Total 18.8% 5.8% 22.8% 2.8% 0.0% 50.0%

Count 158 84 136 20 2 400

Total % of Total 39.5% 21.0% 34.0% 5.0% 0.5% 100.0
%
x2 value=6.290, P-Value=.178
A total of the respondents (39.5%) say that they electronic machines. Moreover, this needs more
are familiar with electronic systems. In terms of propagation on different media channels. The
qualification, the majority of the male significance p-value shows that there is an
respondents (22.8%) become neutral in this association between gender and knowledge of
regard. This means that a number of people are the e-voting system.
unaware of the identification of voters through
KNOWING ABOUT VOTE-BUYING
Area Consideration
Table: 13
Casting of vote through e-voting system will discourage vote-buying.

Strongly Strongly
Agree Neutral Disagree Total
Agree Disagree
Count 76 67 28 22 7 200
Rural % of Total 19.0% 16.8% 7.0% 5.5% 1.8% 50.0%
Area
Count 85 47 42 23 3 200
Urban % of Total 21.3% 11.8% 10.5% 5.8% 0.8% 50.0%
Count 161 114 70 45 10 400
Total
% of Total 40.3% 28.5% 17.5% 11.3% 2.5% 100.0%
x2 value=8.434, P-Value=.077
Respondents (40.3%) say that through electronic means will decrease vote buying.
electronic voting, buying votes from different This means that a number of people are aware
political parties will discourage them. In terms of rigging in elections. So, it is concluded that
of area, the majority of the urban respondents the e-voting system will not be unfamiliar to
(21.3%) say that they agree that voting through the voters.
Gender Consideration
Table: 14
Casting of vote through e-voting system will discourage vote-buying.
Strongly Strongly
Agree Neutral Disagree Total
Agree Disagree
Count 94 50 29 21 6 200
Male % of Total 23.5% 12.5% 7.3% 5.3% 1.5% 50.0%
Gender
Female Count 67 64 41 24 4 200
Farmanullah 604

% of Total 16.8% 16.0% 10.3% 6.0% 1.0% 50.0%

Count 161 114 70 45 10 400
Total
% of Total 40.3% 28.5% 17.5% 11.3% 2.5% 100.0%
x2 value=8.904, P-Value=.064
The majority of the respondents (40.3%) say unauthorised person won elections so that he or
that they have known of rigging in elections. In she could harm the environment of our society.
terms of gender, the majority of the male So it is concluded that the e-voting system will
respondents (23.5%) have agreed that rigging create a fair environment in the coming
in elections is a symbol of corruption in elections.
elections. Additionally, this concludes that an
Literacy-Based Consideration
Table: 15
Casting of vote through e-voting system will discourage vote-buying.

Strongly Strongly
Agree Neutral Disagree Total
Agree Disagree
Count 68 72 34 20 6 200
Literate % of Total 17.0% 18.0% 8.5% 5.0% 1.5% 50.0%
Qualification
Count 93 42 36 25 4 200
Illiterate % of Total 23.3% 10.5% 9.0% 6.3% 1.0% 50.0%

Count 161 114 70 45 10 400

Total % of Total 40.3% 28.5% 17.5% 11.3% 2.5% 100.0%

x2 value=12.789, P-Value=.012
A majority of the respondents (40.3%) agree the reliability of the electoral process.
that fair elections will stop vote buying in Likewise, it will help to a great extent (60.5%)
elections. In terms of qualification, the majority to identify the voters. Similarly, an e-voting
of the illiterate respondents (23.3%) say that system will discourage the practise of buying
they will be happy to stop rigging. This means votes in elections (68.8%). Thus, it is agreed
that a lot of people are aware of electronic that an e-voting system can improve the
voting. So it is concluded that the e-voting electoral process in Pakistan if implemented.
system will not be unfamiliar to the voters. The
significance p-value shows that there is an
association between gender and knowledge of References
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