As it is already well-known to the public, Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia is conducting the compliance audit on electronic voting technologies for the October 26 Elections. The audit processes will be conducted by the laboratory of testing electronic voting technologies, the ‘Pro V&V’, that has been chosen as a result of market research. The ‘Pro V&V’ has a long-standing experience in the United States of America and stands among the two companies that have been granted a proper accreditation from the USA’s relevant institutions.

Election Administration of Georgia recognizes the conduct of another audit as a crucial process to consider the international best practices. In addition, it is dedicated to provide the public with thorough information about the operation principles of electronic devices as well as standards of safety and protection. In the meantime, by implementing the process, Election Administration would like to emphasize the significant importance of the high standards of transparency and responsibility in its activities.

Accordingly, as a result of strong interest from the public, we would like to introduce the detailed information related to each phase and relevant topics of the audit:

The compliance audit is scheduled to be implemented through the following 3 phases:

At the 1st phase - The company will examine the changes made to the initial code of electronic technologies from the by-elections to the present, determining their compliance with Georgia’s applicable legislation. Furthermore, it will provide an overview of the changes depicted in the initial code by considering the recommendations following the period of conducting previous audit.
Functions of the vote counting device will be thoroughly examined. Namely, the company will identify whether the vote counting device reflects a choice of a voter and whether the change of a voter’s choice might be technically, practically or theoretically possible.
The company will examine whether the printed reports from the device carry the true information, whether a vote might be traced to any voter, whether there is any connection of a device to the internet and verification device, or whether a device is protected from any influence coming from an unknown device.
The company will once again study whether there is any connection of a verification device to the internet, whether the report confirming electoral participation of voter or the printed version of voters’ list depict the true information, whether the possibility of double verification exits or whether the devices are connected with synchronized local network. The company will also investigate the potential duplication of one individual at various electoral precincts.
Additional object of analysis will be the component of loading the lists into the verification devices, namely, indication of technical aspects of loading lists in the contract concluded with the vendor company, activation of the unified list of voters in the verification devices at relevant electoral precincts on the Election Day, inclusion of the data in the printed version of a voters’ list that are to be processed by the electronic device during the Elections Day, possibility of making amendments to the already-printed voters list from the start of voting and throughout the voting process.
In regard to the specific tablet, the company will once again study whether the connection to the CEC servers is secure, and whether it is impossible for the package to be sent elsewhere other than the CEC servers, if results from a vote counting device are not generated from the electronic vote counting device whether it is impossible to send the results from the tablet. The audit should also verify that the results transmission program cannot alter the results.

At the 2nd phase - Representatives of the ‘Pro V&V’ will personally observe the process of preparing the electronic devices for the elections in the newly-build stock house of the CEC of Georgia, to confirm that the loaded information in the devices follows the Georgia’s applicable legislation, the CEC normative provisions and international standards.
It is crucial that any interested individual will have an opportunity to observe this process in the live format via the CEC Channel on YouTube.

At the 3rd phase - Representatives of the ‘Pro V&V’ will personally observe the functioning of the devices on the Election Day, where they will analyze the compliance of functioning of electronic devices with the initial code, Georgia’s electoral legislation, the CEC normative provisions and international standards.
Though the process can be completely audited, monitoring of the electoral lists is being conducted throughout the entire year by political parties and non-governmental organizations. Simultaneously, each electoral precinct will have the voters’ list that is designed for a particular electoral precinct on Election Day. The list will be available along with the so-called ‘Wall Lists’ for ensuring their public examination.

Furthermore, the ‘Paper Trail’ is a component of the process, particularly in the processes of voter registration, vote counting as well as transmission of results. Results from all electoral precincts where elections are held electronically will be recounted manually, being a vital component for ensuring transparent conduct of the processes.