Blockchain-Based Voting System for Transparent and Tamper-Proof Elections in Rwanda
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70619/vol5iss6pp70-89Keywords:
Blockchain technology, electronic voting, cryptographic security, digital identity, Rwanda elections, democratic transparency, secure votingAbstract
This paper presents a comprehensive framework for deploying a blockchain-based electronic voting system in Rwanda to address challenges of transparency, security, and public trust in electoral processes. Through detailed analysis of the current Rwandan electoral infrastructure and limitations, we propose a multilayered blockchain architecture that incorporates advanced cryptographic techniques, a national digital identity framework, and mobile accessibility features tailored to Rwanda's unique socio-economic landscape. Our proposed system leverages permissioned blockchain technology with a hybrid consensus mechanism to ensure the immutability of vote records while maintaining voter privacy through zero-knowledge proofs. The paper further discusses implementation challenges specific to Rwanda's context, including digital literacy (UNESCO, 2019), infrastructure limitations, and regulatory considerations. Our findings suggest that progressive, phased implementation of blockchain voting systems can significantly enhance electoral integrity while maintaining cultural and technological accessibility for Rwanda's diverse population.
References
(IMF)., I. M. (2022). Rwanda: Article IV consultation.
(ITU)., I. T. (2019). Measuring digital development.
(NIDA)., N. I. (2023). National ID coverage report.
(NISR), N. I. (2022.). Rwanda census .
(RURA)., R. U. (2023). Electricity access report.
(RURA)., R. U. (2023). Internet penetration report.
(UNDP)., U. N. (2020). Governance in Rwanda: Progress and challenges.
Ayed, B. B.-b. (2019). In Proceedings of the 2019 Blockchain Conference (BLOCKCHAIN'19) . (pp. 233–238).
Bank., W. (2021). World development indicators.
Buterin, V. (2014). Ethereum white paper.
Center., P. R. (2018). Global attitudes toward technology.
Commission., E. (2018). Election cooperation networks.
Crosby, M. P. (2016). Blockchain technology (Drescher, 2017; Swan, 2015): Beyond bitcoin. Applied Innovation, . 2, 6–19.
Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly. 13(3), 319–340.
Drescher, D. (2017). Blockchain basics. Apress.
GSMA. (2021). Mobile economy Sub-Saharan Africa.
House., F. ( 2022). Freedom in the world: Rwanda.
Human Rights Watch (Human Rights Watch, ). (2022-2017). The climate of fear.
Iansiti, M. &. (2017). The truth about blockchain. Harvard Business Review, 95(1),. 118–127.
IDEA)., I. I. (2020). Electoral integrity framework.
Infrastructure., R. M. (2020). Development report.
International, T. (2022). Corruption perception index 2022. N/A, N/A.
International., A. (2018). Case of Victoire Ingabire.
Mattila, J. S. (2016). The blockchain paradox. ETLA Brief, (45).
Mission., E. U. (2018). Final report.
Nakamoto, S. (2008). Bitcoin: A peer-to-peer electronic cash system. Retrieved from https://bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf
Reuters. ( 2017). Kagame wins with 99%. Reuters.
Rwanda., .. N. (2018). lectoral process report .
Rwanda., G. o. (2020). Vision 2050 (Government of Rwanda).
Rwanda., N. E. (2021-2016). Strategic plan .
Rwanda., N. E. (2022). Post-election report . N/A, N/A.
State., U. D. (2021). Human rights report.
Swan, M. (2015). Blockchain: Blueprint for a new economy. O’Reilly Media.
Times, T. N. (2017). Rwanda introduces electronic voting system in urban areas.
Times., T. N. (2017). Rwanda introduces electronic voting system in urban areas.
UNESCO. (2019). Global education monitoring report .
Union., A. (2017). Election observation report.
Watch, H. R. (2022). Rwanda events . N/A, N/A.
Wood, G. (2014). Ethereum white paper.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Alice Niyonsaba , Dr.KN Jonathan, Dr. Djuma Sumbiri

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.