[Linux-aus] Grant request: Contribution to Senate voting source code FOI request review.

[Paul Parker]

Re:   3. Re: Grant request: Contribution to Senate voting source code
     FOI request review. (Luke John)
On Wed, 2014-06-25 at 12:00 +1000, linux-aus-request at lists.linux.org.au 

Re From: Luke John <email at lukejohn.me>
Re Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2014 13:13:13 +0800 (Tue 24 Jun 2014 15:13:13 EST)


Luke John comments suggesting the underlying code-base of EasyCount
(Senate) may not be publicly available due "commercial in confidence"
claims arising from fee-for-service vote counting programs, with
extension to denial of access by a scrutineer.





The AEC has statutory duty to secure voting franchise for electors, the
processes for casting, counting and re-counting of ballot papers clearly
required by law to be examined.


The source code used by the Australian Electoral Commision to tally
electronic votes seems part of their counting the votes process.


IF the AEC denies access to methods any vote, electronic or paper, is
handled, particularly to a scrutineer, the process is open to potential
for tampering with the votes, perhaps concerns more significant with
electronic than with disappearing paper ballots in a box (WA 2103).

Democratic ballots survive upon confidence. 

The Electoral acts may not provide recourse for the AEC here, however
concerning the AEC fulfilling it's duties the Constitution IMHO does.



BTW am not legally qualified, whilst certainly interested ;-)


Paul.