[Apologies if you receive multiple copies of this announcement]
BCS-FACS Evening Seminar Series
The Computer Ate My Vote
Professor Peter Ryan
University of Newcastle
4 September 2006
6pm start
BCS London Offices
First Floor,
The Davidson Building
5 Southampton Street
London WC2E 7HA
For centuries, we have largely taken democratic process for granted and
placed trust in
the paper ballot approach to casting and counting votes. In reality, the
democratic
process is one of considerable fragility. This was recognized at the
dawn of
democracy: the Ancient Greeks devised mechanical devices to try to
sidestep the need
to place trust in officials.
For over a century, the US has been using technological approaches to
recording and
counting votes, level machines, punch cards, optical readers, touch
screen machines,
largely in response to widespread corruption with paper ballots. All
have been prey to
various scams and forms of corruption or just plain malfunctions. In the
last few years,
the UK has been experimenting with alternative voting technologies.
In this talk I will discuss approaches to achieving assurance of
accuracy and privacy in
election systems. In particular I will present a cryptographic scheme
that has the
remarkable property of providing voters with the opportunity to verify
that their vote is
accurately counted whilst still ensuring the secrecy of their ballot. At
the same time,
minimal trust need be placed in the technology or officials.
Refreshments will be served from 5.15pm
The seminar is free of charge and open to everyone. If you would like to
attend, please email
Paul Boca [[log in to unmask]] your name by 30 August 2006.
Pre-registration is required,
as security at the BCS Offices is tight.
Location of the venue: http://www.bcs.org/upload/img/londonsscolour.jpg
FACS Evening Seminars: http://www.bcs-facs.org/events/EveningSeminars
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