Tecnología blockchain como mecanismo disruptivo y modernización en los sistemas de control electoral de Ecuador

Angelo Steeven Macías-Mero; Mauricio Alexander Quimiz-Moreira; Kelvin Armando Mero-García

Autores/as

Macías-Mero Angelo Steeven Universidad Técnica de Manabí. Portoviejo, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5503-4468
Quimiz-Moreira Mauricio Alexander Universidad Técnica de Manabí. Portoviejo, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5430-0215
Mero-García Kelvin Armando Universidad Técnica de Manabí. Portoviejo, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1806-1989

Palabras clave:

blockchain, sistema de votaciones, e-voting, sistema electoral tradicional, aportes, desafíos

Resumen

Las elecciones nacionales, principalmente en los países en vías de desarrollo, se caracterizan por tener limitaciones en la transparencia de estos procesos, y por ende existen problemas de confianza en los resultados; ante esto, es importante encontrar herramientas que ayuden a fortalecer la democracia. Blockchain es una tecnología novedosa con el potencial de solventar estos problemas, por lo que se han desarrollado numerosos estudios sobre sistemas electorales basados en esta tecnología, no obstante, esta aún no se ha consolidado como una herramienta totalmente fiable. Por tal motivo, se conduce a una revisión de 43 estudios con el objetivo de identificar los factores a considerar y las técnicas que se emplean para hacer que blockchain sea funcional para las votaciones, a la vez que se señalan los beneficios y las desventajas que se pueden presentar al llevar a cabo esta idea en Ecuador. Encontrando que, aunque brinda aportes como la autenticación de los votantes, el anonimato y la privacidad de la información, presenta desafíos sustanciales que pueden complicar su implementación, ligados principalmente a la infraestructura tecnológica, las brechas digitales y a la aceptación social. Con base en esto, se infiere que actualmente en Ecuador no se podría aplicar un sistema de votaciones basado en blockchain, pero existe posibilidad de adaptar los beneficios que aporta esta herramienta gradualmente en trabajos futuros hasta conseguir los resultados deseados.

Palabras clave: blockchain, sistema de votaciones, e-voting, sistema electoral tradicional, aportes, desafíos.

Abstract

National elections, especially in developing countries, were characterized by limitations in the transparency of these processes, leading to trust issues in the results. In response, it became crucial to find tools that could strengthen democracy. Blockchain emerged as an innovative technology with the potential to address these problems. Numerous studies have been conducted on electoral systems based on this technology; however, it has not yet fully solidified as a completely reliable tool. To address this, a review of 43 studies was undertaken with the aim of identifying the factors to consider and the techniques employed to make blockchain functional for voting. Simultaneously, the benefits and disadvantages of implementing this idea in Ecuador were explored. It was found that, while blockchain contributes elements such as voter authentication, anonymity, and information privacy, it presents substantial challenges that could complicate its implementation. These challenges are primarily linked to technological infrastructure, digital divides, and social acceptance. Based on these findings, it can be inferred that a blockchain-based voting system may not currently be applicable in Ecuador. However, there is the possibility of gradually adapting the benefits offered by this tool in future efforts until the desired results are achieved.

Keywords: blockchain, voting system, e-voting, traditional electoral system, contributions, challenges.

Información del manuscrito:
Fecha de recepción: 19 de diciembre de 2023.
Fecha de aceptación: 13 de febrero de 2024.
Fecha de publicación: 26 de marzo de 2024.

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