Using of Machines-Microcomputers in Electronic Voting : Brazil's Experience

The paper is devoted to the problems of implementation of Brasil's experience of using of machines-microcomputers during electronic voting. Brazil uses machines - microcomputers during electronic voting without the use of paper ballots. These machines for electronic voting are special microcomputers, consisting of two terminals: terminal-office, in which voters are identified by the voter's certificate and are allowed to vote, and voter' terminal in which votes are recorded. We made the analysis of history of Brazilian machines-microcomputers which were used in municipal elections from 1996. These machines could handle 40 thousand votes with a probability of error of 7%. In 1998 the productivity of devices increased to 150 thousand votes (the error was 2%). In 2000 the modernized machines-microcomputers reduced to error rate to 0.2%. We note that in 1996, not all voters could vote with the help of these machines since these machines were not introduced immediately in the entire territory of Brazil. However, with each election, the number of "electronic" voters increased. If in 1996 only one-third of voters could vote with their help (33%voters), then in 1998 already two-thirds of voters that 67%. In the 2000 elections, more than 350,000 machines-microcomputers were used, and all votes were submitted electronically. Brazilian electronic voting machines were deployed on major highways, bus and tram stations, and banks to increase voter participation. We made the conclusion Brasil's experience of using of machines-microcomputers during electronic voting should be taken into account during developing the national system of electronic voting