Staffers of the US Senate are considering the use of technologies like blockchain, to conduct senate operations as some government offices work remotely.
The staffers, who work with the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, proffered some technological solutions which will help conduct voting if the senate was to approve bills electronically, or remotely. Several solutions were considered, including military end-to-end encryption technologies.
However, some researchers do not believe in the idea of conducting voting electronically and were especially sceptical of blockchain use for such operations. They opined that the use of online platforms for sensitive work like voting, is not safe enough, especially when you consider the possibility of a hacker taking control of the system. They also noted that blockchain platforms are not hacker-proof, even though the database may be decentralised. They cited a situation of a blockchain hack, where a hacker gets control of 51% of voting consensus, and how potentially dangerous that will be for the legislative business.
Responding to the reservations expressed by some researchers, the staffers stated that the issue of a hack wouldn't be something to worry, as senate vote is done differently from general elections, which is done via secret ballot.
However, they were also not totally allayed by the possibility of a 51% attack on a senate blockchain. Therefore, even though they believe in using blockchain solutions to conduct voting, a reassurance of security measures to curtail a hack, or abduction of the voting process is necessary.
Blockchain voting is not a new concept at all. Some countries like Sierra Leone have applied this technology in their electoral processes.
Source: Coindesk
