Scrutiny System in blockchain

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

David Tacuri

[GENERAL] Email address of main applicant

neielv@gmail.com

Additional applicants

Fernando Yánez

Jaime Martinez

Roberto Cerrud

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

12

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

Yes

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.” .

No dependencies.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] If NO, please describe which outputs are not going to be open source. If YES, please write “Project will be fully open source.”

Project will be fully open source.

[METADATA] Category of Proposal

Other

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

1.- Context.

In developing countries, the adoption/implementation of electronic voting or telematic voting is not yet viable, mainly due to the low levels of confidence in the Electoral Organisms and the socio-political reality of the region.

2.- Current voting systems.

In most of these Latin American countries, the counting of votes in an election process (president of a country or deputies, etc.) is done manually, and these results are transferred to a sheet of paper called tally sheets.

Subsequently, the processing of the tally sheets is carried out in a computer system, in the following phases: scanning of minutes, entry of votes (ICR, Entry of Vores, QA), totalization and dissemination of results.

3.- Blockchain Scrutiny Systems

This project proposes the incorporation of blockchain in a scrutiny system commonly used in Latin America; that is to say that public scrutiny is maintained and the vote is counted one by one in front of the citizens and that later in the computation process blockchain technology is implemented.

a.- Digitize the scrutiny act (Acanning ).

A hash will be obtained from each image of the scanned records and will be published on the blockchain.

The images will be stored decentrally (this point will depend on several factors such as cost, maturity of some decentralized storage solution on the cardano blockchain);

b.- Intelligent character recognition.

The values obtained in the intelligent character recognition process will be assigned to a candidate within the chain of the cardano blockchain;

c.- Cut image in sections

A hash will be obtained from each image of the scanned records and will be published on the blockchain.

The images will be stored decentrally (this point will depend on several factors such as cost, maturity of some decentralized storage solution on the cardano blockchain);

d.- Fingering.

The users of the system called "digitators" will enter the values that are shown in the image (sections of the records that previously had to be cut), it should be noted that a validation of the hash of each existing image in the blockchain is previously performed.

The values entered by the “digitizer” users will be assigned to a candidate within the Cardano blockchain chain;

e.- Quality Control.

The “validation 2 of 3” is done on the Cardano blockchain.

In the case of requiring a new digitization (quality control), the votes entered by the users will be assigned to a candidate within the Cardano blockchain;

f.- Totalization.

The totalization process is the sum of the votes of each candidate and will be carried out in the Cardano blockchain.

g– Publication of results (dissemination of results).

The votes of the candidates will be published from the Cardano blockchain.

SCHEME OF THE PROPOSED SOLUTION

4.- Why implement this solution?

• Real transparency is provided in each phase of the counting process.
• All the information is public, so any citizen can oversee the elections.
• By having complete traceability of all transactions, the results cannot be altered.
• The entire system can be audited, in a public way, control institutions, political organizations and civil society can review the entire structure, flow, operation and data of the system.

5.-Legal validity.

In general terms, there are 3 forms of vote control.

Manual counting, also known as traditional or simply scrutiny, is the classic method of vote counting in an electoral process. In this system, voters cast their votes on physical ballots, which are then deposited in ballot boxes. Once the voting is complete, the ballot boxes are taken to a counting center where each vote is manually counted.

In the process of traditional scrutiny, electoral officials review and manually count each vote on the ballots, ensuring their validity and correctly assigning votes to each candidate or option. Once the manual counting is completed, the results are recorded in scrutiny records and later processed (vote tally) by a centralized system before being officially published or disclosed.

Telematic voting is a voting modality that allows citizens to cast their votes from any location using electronic devices connected to the internet, such as computers, smartphones, or tablets. Instead of physically going to a polling station, voters can vote remotely through secure and authorized online platforms.

Electronic voting is a voting modality in which voters cast their votes using electronic systems instead of traditional paper ballots and ballot boxes. This method utilizes computer and electronic technologies to register, count, and transmit votes efficiently and quickly.

The most common way to implement this type of voting is through electronic voting machines, where voters select their choices on a digital voting machine (physically similar to an ATM), and the system records the votes electronically.

The vast majority of developing countries, such as Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador, have laws that establish manual voting, using physical ballots that are later tallied in a centralized computer system called the scrutiny system. Our project adheres to these specifications, ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, while adding an additional layer of transparency to the existing systems.

ECUADOR.

Electoral Organic Law (Pages 71,72,73)

https://institutodemocracia.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/codigo_democracia_2013.pdf

PERÚ

Organic Law of Elections (Pages 40,41,42)

https://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Peru/leyelecciones.pdf

BOLIVIA

GENERAL ELECTIONS REGULATIONS (Pages 8,9,10)

http://www.coordinadoradelamujer.org.bo/protagonistas/archivos/normas/Res.%20021%20(Reglamento%20EG20).pdf

[IMPACT] How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?

This proposal addresses the challenge from the following aspects:

• It falls under the "National governance systems" category since scrutiny systems are used by nation-states for the election of authorities.

The scrutiny system fits into the 2 areas established in the challenge:

• Creation or improvement of different products: The implementation of Cardano technology in the electoral process addresses a real and significant problem in society, showcasing blockchain as an effective solution for real-world challenges.

• Integrations with other existing services: By integrating blockchain into an existing process like vote counting, it strengthens the adoption of the technology and provides transparency to citizens.

The benefits this proposal will bring to the Cardano ecosystem are:

Validation and strengthening of the technology:

Implementing an electoral scrutiny system in the Cardano ecosystem will demonstrate the blockchain's capability to handle mission-critical applications in a real-world setting. This will validate the robustness and reliability of Cardano's underlying technology, attracting more developers, investors, and users to the ecosystem.

Attraction of collaborations and strategic partnerships:

Implementing an electoral scrutiny system on Cardano can draw the attention of government agencies, electoral organizations, and other entities interested in enhancing transparency and security in electoral processes. This could open up opportunities for collaborations and strategic partnerships with governmental entities and relevant organizations, further strengthening the Cardano ecosystem.

Number of potential beneficiaries:

The potential beneficiaries of the project include the large number of voters in each country, such as Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru, with millions of potential users. This demonstrates the scalability and widespread impact of the proposed solution.

[IMPACT] How do you intend to measure the success of your project?

Adoption by electoral authorities:

We will measure the number of electoral authorities showing interest in implementing our Cardano-based scrutiny system. This will give us an idea of the level of acceptance and trust in our solution by electoral authorities.

User opinions:

We will gather qualitative feedback from users, including electoral officials, political parties, and voters, to evaluate their satisfaction with the system. Their opinions and experiences will provide valuable information about the usability and effectiveness of the solution.

Expert and auditor assessments:

We will seek the review and evaluation of independent experts in security and electoral systems. Their opinions and analyses will give us a measure of the effectiveness and reliability of our scrutiny system.

[IMPACT] Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?

The strategy for sharing the outputs and results of our project includes:

Documentation and reports:

We will prepare detailed documentation and reports describing the development process, implementation methodology, and key findings of the project.

Presentations and workshops:

We will organize presentations and workshops to share the project results with government agencies, electoral organizations, and the Cardano communit.

Participation in trade shows: We will participate in trade shows and events related to technology and democracy, where we can share our results with an interested audienc.

Publications and case studies: We will publish articles and studies that highlight project achievements, lessons learned, and best practices. These articles will be shared with relevant industry publications/magazines, academic institutions and research forums for example "Revistas Democracias"

Online and social media presence: We will actively promote the project results through social media, blogs, and online communitie.

Collaboration and partnerships: We will seek collaborations and partnerships with other electoral organizations in Latin America and international collaborative bodie, In our project, we recognize the importance of establishing political connections and strategic collaborations to promote the adoption of this type of system. One significant advantage is that we have connections with consultants and individuals who work directly with international organizations specialized in electoral support, such as the Organization of American States (OAS), the Inter-American Union of Electoral Organizations (UNIORE), and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?

Our ability to deliver our project with high levels of confidence and accountability is based on the following:

Team expertise: We have an experienced and competent team that possesses in-depth knowledge in the field of blockchain technology, electoral systems, and IT security:

+30 national elections in Ecuador.

+10 years of experience in electoral systems development.

+Plutus Program Pioneer.

Transparency in execution: We are committed to carrying out the project in a transparent manner, providing regular updates on progress, milestones achieved and obstacles overcome

Independent audits and evaluations: We will seek independent audits and/or evaluations of our project by experts in security and electoral systems, mainly experts coming from academia.

Establishment of accountability mechanisms: We will implement clear accountability mechanisms at all stages of the project, both the source code and the documentation will be 100% available.

Administration of the funds: All the invoices of the expenses made with the found 10 funds will always be public on the website and the Github repository of the project

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?

Main project goals:

1. Develop and implement an electoral scrutiny system based on Cardano blockchain technology that ensures security, transparency, and efficiency in electoral processe
2. Increase trust and transparency in electoral processes by providing electoral authorities and political parties with a reliable and auditable tool for vote counting and registratio
3. Validate the effectiveness and reliability of the Cardano-based scrutiny system through independent expert reviews and security audit

Metrics to validate the goals:

To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of our approach, we will utilize the following metrics:

1. Adoption by electoral authorities: We will measure the interest and willingness of electoral authorities to implement our Cardano-based scrutiny system and/or incorporate blockchain in election-related processe.
2. Expert evaluations and audits: We will seek reviews and evaluations from independent experts in security and electoral system

Implementation and dissemination of results:

To share the outputs and results of our project, we will undertake the following actions:

1. Prepare detailed reports describing the development process, implementation methodology, and key findings of the projec.
2. Organize presentations and workshops targeting governmental agencies, electoral organizations, and other relevant stakeholders to share the results and promote the adoption of our scrutiny syste.
3. Publish articles and case studies highlighting the achievements of the project, lessons learned, and best practice.
4. Actively promote the project's results through social media, blogs, and online communities, keeping followers informed with regular update.
5. Seek collaborations and partnerships with other electoral authorities at both national and international levels to foster knowledge and experience sharing, as well as to broaden the reach and impact of our projec

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed breakdown of your project’s milestones and each of the main tasks or activities to reach the milestone plus the expected timeline for the delivery.

Q4-2023 (phase 1)

PROJECT PLANNING

Scheme of the project, definition of macro tasks and tasks as well as the teams involved in each of them.

Define detailed system architecture and select technologies.

Interface design.

Database schema for configuration.

Deliverables of this phase:

1.-Project roadmap

2.- Architecture design

3.- Blockchain component design.

4.- Database schema (script).

Q1-2024(phase 2)

DEVELOPMENT OF PROJECT COMPONENTS:

Development of the configuration module

Development of scanning module.

Development of the intelligent character recognition module.

REST API of modules modules of this phase.

Blockchain component.

Deliverables of this phase:

1.- Configuration module (versioned source code).

2.- Scanning module (versioned source code).

3.- Intelligent character recognition module (versioned source code).

4.- REST API of modules modules of this phase (versioned source code).

5.- Smart contracts.

Q2-2024 (Phase 3)

DEVELOPMENT OF PROJECT COMPONENTS:

Fingering module development (versioned source code).

Development of the quality control module (versioned source code).

Development of presentation of results (versioned source code).

security tests

Blockchain component

Deliverables of this phase:

1.- Fingering module (versioned source code).

2.- Quality control module (versioned source code).

3.- Results module (versioned source code).

4.- REST API of modules modules of this phase (versioned source code).

5.- Security test report

6.- Smart contracts.

Q3-2024 (Phase 4)

INTEGRATION AND STABILIZATION:

• Integration of all modules.
• Deployment in production environment.
• System stabilization phase

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.

Q4-2023 (Phase 1)

Project Planning

Deliverables:

1. Project roadmap: A detailed document describing the stages and key milestones of the project will be provide
2. Architecture design: A detailed architecture of the system will be defined, including the components and selected technologie
3. Blockchain component design: A detailed design of the blockchain component will be developed, specifying its functionality and integration with the scrutiny syste
4. Database schema: A database schema covering the system configuration will be create

Expected goals:

• Establish a clear vision of the project and define the main tasks and teams involved in each of them.
• Design the system architecture and select suitable technologies.
• Develop the design of the blockchain component and its integration into the system.
• Establish an appropriate database structure for the system configuration.

To measure the progress of the project in this phase, the following indicators will be tracked:

Number of technical documents released (published in the GIT repository)

• Completion of the project roadmap and architecture design.
• Creation of the blockchain component design.
• Development of the database schema.

Q1-2024 (Phase 2)

Development of Project Components

Deliverables:

1. Configuration module: Versioned source code of the configuration module will be delivered, allowing customization and adjustment of the system according to specific requirement
2. Scanning module: Versioned source code of the scanning module will be provided, enabling the digitization of result record
3. Intelligent character recognition module: Versioned source code of the intelligent character recognition module will be delivered, processing and extracting information from the votes recorded in the result record
4. API REST for the modules: Versioned source code of the API REST for the modules developed in this phase will be provided, enabling communication and integration with other system component
5. Smart contracts: Necessary smart contracts for the implementation of the scrutiny system based on Cardano blockchain technology will be developed and delivere

Expected goals:

• Develop the essential components of the scrutiny system, including the configuration module, scanning module, and intelligent character recognition module.
• Create API REST to facilitate communication between different modules of the system.
• Prepare necessary smart contracts to ensure security and transparency in the scrutiny process.

To measure the progress of the project in this phase, the following indicators will be tracked:

Number of lines of code released (published in the GIT repository)

• Completion and delivery of versioned source code for the configuration, scanning, and intelligent character recognition modules.
• Development and availability of corresponding API REST.
• Implementation of necessary smart contracts.

Q2-2024 (Phase 3)

Development of Project Components

Deliverables:

1. Data entry module: Versioned source code of the data entry module will be provided for information input into the syste
2. Quality control module: Versioned source code of the quality control module will be delivered, ensuring accuracy and reliability of the entered dat
3. Results presentation module: Versioned source code of the results presentation module will be provided, allowing clear and understandable visualization of the scrutiny result
4. API REST for the modules: Versioned source code of the API REST for the modules developed in this phase will be delivered, enabling communication and integration with other system component
5. Security testing report: A detailed report of security tests conducted, evaluating the system's robustness and resistance to potential threats, will be generate
6. Smart contracts: Updated smart contracts incorporating new modules and functionalities developed will be delivere

Expected goals:

• Develop the data entry module, quality control module, and results presentation module.
• Conduct thorough security testing to ensure integrity and reliability of the system.
• Update existing smart contracts to reflect improvements and changes made in this phase.

To measure the progress of the project in this phase, the following indicators will be tracked:

Number of lines of code released (published in the GIT repository)

• Completion and delivery of versioned source code for the identification, quality control, and results presentation modules.
• Availability and documentation of the security.
• Update of existing smart contracts.

Number of technical documents released (published in the GIT repository)

• Update the project roadmap and architecture design.
• Update of the blockchain component design.
• Update of the database schema.
• Testing report.

Q3-2024 (Phase 4)

Integration and Stabilization

Deliverables:

1. Integration of all modules: Integration of all modules developed in previous phases will be carried out to form a complete and functional syste
2. Implementation in production environment: The system will be deployed in a production environment, ready to be used in real election
3. System stabilization phase: Exhaustive testing will be conducted, and any errors or issues will be corrected to ensure stability and proper functioning of the system under real condition

Expected goals:

• Integrate all modules developed in previous phases to form a complete and functional system.
• Prepare the system for implementation in a real production environment.
• Ensure stability and proper functioning of the system through testing and bug fixes.

To measure the progress of the project in this phase, the following indicators will be tracked:

• Successful integration of all system modules.
• Deployment and effective operation of the system in a production environment.
• Completion of the stabilization phase and correction of identified errors.

(*) Each deliverable will be accompanied by technical documentation.

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

1.- Workforce (A)

Fase /recurso         hours   "Cost x hour (ada)" " Tol - Month (ada)" Months "TOTAL(ada)"

(*)Fase 1: (Q4-2023)

Project management 20 ₳136,00 ₳2.720,00 3 ₳8.160,00 

Smart contract design 30 ₳109,00 ₳3.270,00 3 ₳9.810,00 

UX Design 30 ₳65,00 ₳1.950,00 3 ₳5.850,00 

Backend, database 30 ₳130,00 ₳3.900,00 3 ₳11.700,00 

(*)Fase 2: (Q1-2024)

Project management 20 ₳136,00 ₳2.720,00 3 ₳8.160,00 

Smart contract development (1). 100 ₳174,00 ₳17.400,00 3 ₳52.200,00 

Smart contract development (2). 100 ₳174,00 ₳17.400,00 3 ₳52.200,00 

Frontend app development (1). 100 ₳109,00 ₳10.900,00 3 ₳32.700,00 

Frontend app development (2). 40 ₳109,00 ₳4.360,00 3 ₳13.080,00 

Backend, database, (1). 100 ₳130,00 ₳13.000,00 3 ₳39.000,00 

Backend, database, (2). 40 ₳130,00 ₳5.200,00 3 ₳15.600,00 

QA/QC work (1). 27 ₳78,00 ₳2.106,00 3 ₳6.318,00 

QA/QC work (2). 27 ₳78,00 ₳2.106,00 3 ₳6.318,00 

(*)Fase 3 y 4: Q2/Q3-2024

Project management 20 ₳136,00 ₳2.720,00 3 ₳8.160,00 

Smart contract development (1). 20 ₳174,00 ₳3.480,00 3 ₳10.440,00 

Frontend app development (1). 20 ₳109,00 ₳2.180,00 3 ₳6.540,00 

Backend, database 100 ₳130,00 ₳13.000,00 3 ₳39.000,00 

QA/QC work (1). 27 ₳78,00 ₳2.106,00 3 ₳6.318,00 

QA/QC work (2). 27 ₳78,00 ₳2.106,00 3 ₳6.318,00 

TOTAL ₳337.872

2.-infrastructure costs (B)

Resource | Month | Total

AWS    | 12 | ₳45.347,

TOTAL ₳45.347,00

3.- Audit (C)

Audit ₳52.173,00

4.- TOTAL (A+B+C)

₳337.872,00 + ₳45.347,00 + ₳52.173,00 = ₳435.392,00

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The cost estimation was carried out taking into account the following aspects:

Impact on society

1.- Real solution to a concrete problem.

Incorporating blockchain into a scrutiny system is one of the most tangible ways to demonstrate the technology's validity and true contribution to society. We create value for Cardano by providing a mechanism of transparency and security to an entire society that defines the future of generations through voting

2.- Justification of the budget

Salaries and expertise.

The average salary of an experienced developer and experts in information technologies was considered, according to the standards established by the Ministry of Labor of Ecuador. These salaries reflect the competence and specialized knowledge required to effectively carry out the Cardano-based scrutiny project.

• Salary of an experienced developer: USD 1670, reference value of public servant level 7 (https://www.trabajo.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/A.%20M.%20MRL-2012-00022.pdf?x42051)(page 2, article 1).
• Salary of information technology experts such as information security, cloud platform management: USD 2190, reference value of public servant level 10 (https://www.trabajo.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/A.%20M.%20MRL-2012-00022.pdf?x42051)(page 2, article 1).

Infrastructure and resources: It is considered that at least the first two phases of the project will not require significant resources (such as AWS) as it will still be in the development phase.

It is important to emphasize that these values are referential and are taken from the Ministry of Labor of Ecuador since the proponent is from this country.

Reference price of ADA is USD 0.23, at the time of publication of the proposal, ADA is USD 0.28

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agreed to Fund10 rules and also that data in the Submission Form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept