Smartmatic’s solution works as a safe, flexible and easy-to-use voting platform for the automation of any voting event. With independence of the requirements from the voting authority, the local customs of the population, or the socio-political environment of the host country, Smartmatic guarantees secure elections, starting from the organization and planning of the event to the publication of election results, and the withdrawal of the technology for safekeeping upon election closure.

A vital part of the successful operation of Smartmatic’s technology is the use of advanced encryption algorithms for the collection and transfer of each vote through the different verification points:

1. Voting receipt printed on special paper and uniquely identified with a random, non-sequential code to ensure the secrecy of the vote;

2. Fixed memory (internal) of every voting machine;

3. Removable memory of every voting machine;

4. Precinct count stored and printed by the voting machine;

5. The electronic votes transmitted to the tallying centers;

6. Electronic precinct count transmitted to the tallying centers;

7. The final tally report.

A Thorough Methodology

An election implies several phases of operation and its success depends on carrying out processes such as:

1. System configuration

Prior to any electoral event, the platform is thoroughly and critically evaluated through internal audits and testing of functionality and performance. This ensures the quality of both its hardware and software.

2. Configuration of voting machines

Once the information provided by the electoral agency is compiled, the Smartmatic Platform (highly customizable by design) adapts system to make it resemble the traditional local voting method, using graphic elements such as ballot designs, the colors of political parties, images, logos, language, etc.

3. Pre-dispatch Audits

Once the voting machines have been configured, voting drills are conducted to evaluate the system’s performance and accuracy. Previously, audits are carried out on the software, hardware and transmission platform (source code audits and engineering tests).

4. Voting

For every election, Smartmatic voting machines are provided a flexible and secure configuration. All votes and precinct counts are encrypted and stored in the machine; this information is then safely transmitted with a digital certificate issued specifically for each event.

5. Transmission

Smartmatic’s solution is designed to transmit the electoral data in a secure and unidirectional manner, with no need of human intervention, and in accordance to the requirements of the electoral body.

6. Tallying

The system allows for publishing partial results as the data is transferred from the machines to the tallying servers. Results can be obtained in just minutes after the election day is finished, guaranteeing zero inconsistencies and zero null votes caused by the technology. 

7. Closure auditing

The printed voting receipts allow the voters to verify their selections before casting them in ballot boxes. They also constitute the basis for later audits. 

8. Withdrawal

At the end of the Election Day, Smartmatic organizes the withdrawal, transport and storage of the voting machines. The data on the removable memories in the voting machines is permanently backed up to a server and then, through an exclusive feature of Smartmatic’s technology (secure and compliant with international standards), both fixed and removable memories of all machines are erased, enabling the machines for a future election.