E-voting: ‘Financing is becoming a hurdle’
Switzerland faces challenges in its pursuit of e-voting as it grapples with the high costs associated with the project. The country, known for its sluggish pace in digitalization, is aiming to catch up by implementing an electronic identity (e-ID) and expanding e-voting. The benefits for Swiss citizens abroad are evident, with easier access to federal services and potentially Swiss banks.
The Organization of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) is supportive of the e-ID initiative, recognizing its potential to simplify the lives of Swiss expatriates. Ariane Rustichelli, the director of OSA, believes that the e-ID could help facilitate the electronic dispatch of voting documents, alleviating part of the problem faced by Swiss citizens residing outside the country’s borders.
Martein Kristjansson, a Swiss expat living in Reykjavik, Iceland, highlights the importance of an e-ID in his daily life. He relies on his Icelandic e-ID for tasks such as managing his bank account and accessing the healthcare system. The ease and convenience provided by such digital identities cannot be understated.
While Switzerland is considered innovative in terms of e-ID implementation, concerns about security remain. Reto Vogt, a digital expert, warns of the risks associated with potential identity theft, emphasizing that anything digital is susceptible to hacking.
E-voting has been on Switzerland’s agenda for nearly two decades, but trust has been a significant obstacle. However, recent trials in five cantons have shown promising results. Despite this progress, Vogt warns about the complexity of the system, as many people struggle to comprehend it, leading to doubts about its reliability.
Ariane Rustichelli raises another important point – the financing of e-voting systems. The costs associated with implementation pose a significant hurdle for the cantons, making it challenging to fully realize e-voting’s potential. Several cantons have already expressed concerns regarding the steep expenses.
Nonetheless, some cantons, including Graubünden, Geneva, and possibly Bern, plan to join the ongoing trials in 2024. Swiss Post, the operator responsible for e-voting, aims to have ten cantons participating by 2025 to make the trial financially viable.
The cost-benefit aspect of e-voting is a valid question, according to Vogt. One potential solution could be to limit access to e-voting to a specific segment of the population, thereby reducing the risk of manipulation. However, Rustichelli argues that developing the system for a small group would likely be cost-prohibitive for the cantons.
It all boils down to the kind of democracy Switzerland envisions. Rustichelli emphasizes the importance of an inclusive and diverse democracy that encourages the participation of young people. For citizens like Sandra Carrasco in Spain, who has already experienced Switzerland’s new e-voting system as a citizen of Basel, the ability to participate in Swiss democracy is a vital aspect of their connection to the country.
However, concerns about cybersecurity loom large. Switzerland has encountered cyberattacks in recent years, even resulting in the leakage of personal information belonging to Swiss Abroad subscribers. Vogt underscores Switzerland’s vulnerability in the face of such attacks, while Carrasco views the open discussion about data security as an advantage of Swiss democracy.
Ultimately, the introduction of e-voting in Switzerland continues to face both financial and trust-related challenges. While progress has been made, a balance must be struck between accessibility, security, and financial feasibility to ensure that the benefits of e-voting can be fully realized. As Switzerland seeks to modernize its democracy, it must carefully navigate the complexities to create a system that is transparent, inclusive, and trustworthy.
