Hackers to test e-vote security

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will tap professional hackers to test the security of the P21.5-million Internet voting system that it will pilot-test from July 10 to 30 in Singapore.

Comelec Commissioner Florentino Tuason said they asked the help of the International Foundation for Election System, a non-profit organization based in Washington, to contract professional hackers to perform the test.

But Tuason, also the chairman of the Committee on Overseas Absentee Voting, clarified that the poll body is "very sure" that the technology is secure and they just want to explore all possibilities by inviting the hackers.

"When Scytl presented the system, everybody was impressed on the security features. It is covered by international patent and it has been declared secure by no less than Switzerland and everyone in the global community should respect that decision," he said.

Scytl Consortium is a Spain-based company tapped by the Comelec to implement the project, along with computer manufacturer Hewlett-Packard Development Co.

Its technology contains security features that guard the sanctity of ballots and that accelerate voting, canvassing and transmitting procedures. It is already being used in Australia, United States, Spain, Finland and Switzerland.

"We are doing this not for criminal or nefarious activity. This is more of to test the security, the firewalls and everything," he noted.

The Comelec had originally planned to pilot test the Internet voting in Singapore for absentee voting in the May 14 polls. The poll body had decided to shelve the plan amid questions about its legality.

Under the scheme, registered voters in Singapore will be asked to vote for 12 senators and one party-list group.

Tuason added the Internet voting is "non-binding" and that it would not affect the results of the coming elections.