Enhancing Student Election Integrity through a Secure Online Voting System

Abstract

Student elections are crucial for ensuring democratic representation in academic institutions. However, traditional voting methods often suffer from inefficiencies, security vulnerabilities, and human errors. At Polytechnic Ungku Omar (PUO), student elections were previously conducted using Google Forms, which posed risks such as unauthorized access, multiple voting attempts, and inaccurate vote counting. To address these issues, this study presents the PUO Voting System (VPUO), an innovative online voting platform that enhances security, efficiency, and transparency. The VPUO system integrates multi-layered authentication mechanisms, including QR-code scanning, two-factor authentication (2FA), and one-time password (OTP) verification, to ensure only eligible voters participate in the election. The system also automates vote tallying, reducing the risk of human errors and expediting the results. Developed using the Waterfall software development model, the system underwent extensive testing, including unit testing, integration testing, and user acceptance testing, to ensure reliability and effectiveness. Results from real-time election implementation at PUO demonstrated significant improvements in security and efficiency. The authentication success rate was measured at 98%, preventing unauthorized access and multiple voting. Additionally, the system processed election results instantaneously, eliminating delays caused by manual vote counting. A post-election survey indicated a strong preference among 95% of respondents preferred the VPUO system over the previous Google Forms method, citing improved security, ease of use, and reliability. The findings suggest that the VPUO system provides a secure and efficient alternative to traditional voting methods. Future enhancements could include the integration of biometric authentication and the development of a mobile application for greater accessibility. This system serves as a model for other educational institutions aiming to modernize their election processes.