Since 2020, the University of Santiago has carried out its internal election processes with EVoting. Rector Juan Manuel Zolezzi highlighted the advantages of using electronic voting: It solved a big problem for us
On December 15th, 2020, the University of Santiago debuted with electronic voting in its internal elections, electing Deans, Directors and Councilors of the campus with the EVoting platform. Currently, it has conducted 21 processes, where academics have had an average participation of 75%.
Rector Juan Manuel Zolezzi points out that with this modality, they solved “a fundamental problem”. In his opinion, “it facilitated the functioning of the election process, there was greater peace of mind among the people who participated, both the candidates and for those who voted. The possibility of watching how the process is progressing live, and that later the results are certified within five or ten minutes is very important”. He added that from the academic point of view, it solved “a big problem, because it means not having to move people, facilities, laboratories, so that they go to a place to vote”.
What advantage would you highlight in the electronic voting system?
At the beginning, people do not appreciate the advantages, but then they start to realize. Another advantage is the security of the vote, because I think it is very difficult for someone to bring his son or brother to vote for him. The ease of access, because you receive an email with your password, you enter directly and you immediately have your vote. Afterwards, you could identify yourself with your identity card and your security code. People appreciated it very much, it was really very practical.
Was it necessary to make any changes to the regulations to conduct the processes?
After the Academic Council modified the resolution that allowed non face-to-face voting, the community was informed that it was an important step, which would be the characteristics and description of the system, how the results were going to be delivered to formalize and make people lose a little of their fear of this scheme. When there is indeed a massive participation, which is much higher than the one that was normally in person, people start to trust the system. And they say “well, it is better that more people participate than less”.
Do you think that this system is here to stay or that it only responds to the health crisis?
I think it has validity for the University. The University would like to have its people’s inputs, what their students think on different topics, in a permanent way. It can be an avenue that can be exploited in addition to the vote, a survey that all the students of the University, the academics or the officials respond to. To have that type of alternatives. As of today, we are all fascinated with everything that can be accomplished online. Nobody wants to go back, because it means that they have to go somewhere to vote, that I have to come in, instead of doing the same thing from the comfort of my home. I am very grateful, and I think the University in general is grateful. I can’t speak for a group, but I think they came at the right moment, a very important moment for us. We had several things that had to be taken care of and I think they were optimally solved.
Check out the video interview by clicking on EVoting’s Youtube Channel.