Why online voting isn’t worth the gamble

Originally published in Manila Bulletin

The United Kingdom, despite being a highly connected society with widespread internet access and advanced cybersecurity infrastructure, explicitly prohibits online voting. British voters still physically mark their choices on paper ballots, a practice that might seem outdated in our digital age, yet one that the UK government firmly believes ensures the highest standards of electoral integrity. This choice underscores an essential truth: the convenience of digital technology should never compromise the fundamental principle of secure, reliable, and verifiable democratic elections.

I strongly believe that the Philippines should adopt a similar stance and refrain from implementing online voting systems, at least in the foreseeable future. While our country continues to embrace digital transformation in various sectors—from banking to education—elections are an entirely different matter. They form the bedrock of democratic governance, and nothing is more critical than ensuring that every citizen's vote is accurately counted and protected from potential manipulation.

The risks associated with online voting are not mere hypotheticals; they are well-documented by real-world examples. Countries such as Estonia, Brazil, India, and the United States have experimented with various electronic voting methods, only to face persistent questions around reliability, security, and transparency. Experts have repeatedly raised alarms about vulnerabilities such as server hacking, malware, and the manipulation of data—all risks inherent in any digital voting framework. Even Estonia, often cited as a leading example of digital governance, faces critiques regarding its reliance on voters' trust in server integrity, a system that cannot be independently verified by citizens.

In the Philippines, the stakes are particularly high. We have witnessed firsthand how contentious election results can lead to public mistrust, legal battles, and lasting political instability. Given these existing sensitivities, adopting a voting method that introduces additional layers of risk and complexity would be reckless. The uneven distribution of reliable internet connectivity across our archipelago further complicates matters, potentially disenfranchising entire communities. Many Filipinos, particularly in remote or rural areas, still lack consistent access to the internet or even electricity. Implementing an online voting system without first addressing these infrastructural gaps risks exacerbating existing inequalities and undermining the principle of equal representation.

Moreover, digital literacy is unevenly distributed among the population. Not all voters are comfortable navigating sophisticated online systems, and this gap can result in confusion or inadvertent disenfranchisement. Ensuring universal digital literacy to a degree sufficient to guarantee secure online voting would require extensive, long-term investment in education and public awareness—resources and time better allocated to more immediate electoral reforms.

There is also the critical issue of cybersecurity. If highly advanced countries like the UK, with their sophisticated cyber defense capabilities, consider online voting too risky, the Philippines must exercise even greater caution. The threat of cyber-attacks is not limited to private enterprises; electoral systems are prime targets for both domestic and international interference. Even a small-scale breach could significantly damage public trust in election results. The potential for large-scale fraud, through targeted hacking or malware, represents a risk no democracy should willingly entertain.

Ultimately, safeguarding democracy requires caution and prudence. The tried-and-tested practice of physically marking ballots, despite appearing antiquated, offers transparency, accountability, and a straightforward method of verification—qualities that online voting cannot yet reliably match. It matters little whom you support or where you stand on the political spectrum; ensuring that every single vote is counted fairly and accurately is paramount.

The Philippines, like the UK, should resist the temptation of digital shortcuts when democracy itself hangs in the balance. Technology can and should aid governance in countless other ways, but when it comes to elections, caution must prevail over convenience. We owe it to our citizens—and to democracy itself—to preserve the integrity and trustworthiness of our electoral process. Until digital solutions can unequivocally guarantee security, accuracy, and equal access for all, traditional paper ballots remain our best and safest choice.

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