Legal and Technological Safeguards for Digital Elections: A Comprehensive Framework

Abstract

Election procedures in contemporary democracies have changed dramatically as a result of the quick adoption of digital technology, which present new chances for effectiveness, accessibility, and transparency. To maintain electoral integrity, however, the use of digital voting devices also presents serious ethical, security, and legal issues that need to be resolved. In order to guarantee safe, reliable, and resilient digital elections, this paper offers a thorough framework that combines legislative protections with cutting-edge technology precautions. It describes the essential legal frameworks needed to control digital electoral infrastructure, such as data protection laws, cybercrime statutes, certification requirements, and voter rights safeguards. The framework looks at crucial technology protections such end-to-end encryption, identity systems, blockchain-based verification, intrusion detection, and hazard mitigation methods in addition to these regulatory measures. The study highlights the necessity of comprehensive governance, ongoing system assessment, and open auditing to combat new cyberthreats and bolster public confidence by combining the two domains. The suggested framework offers election officials, technologists, and policymakers an organised method for creating and executing safe digital election ecosystems.