Good Practices and Innovations in Public Governance 2003-2011

Good Practices and InnovATIONS in Public Governance
The participation in RIES is neither mandatory, nor the only option for casting a vote.
The eligible voters can choose between voting online and via mail. The system gives
an easy access to the handicapped, allowing them to cast their votes from anywhere
without getting additional help.
One of the benefits of RIES is its transparency: voters are able to check the processing
of their votes; they can verify the tally process; non-eligible voters can also check
the updated results of an election.
RIES has proven to be highly effective. In 2004, a survey was conducted to collect feedback
about the e-voting system; 79% of participants preferred casting their votes via the
internet, while only 9% of voters favored the traditional ballot box voting system.
One of the major factors contributing towards the success of RIES was the multidisciplinary
character of the team, which was not only extremely dedicated, possessed
the right legal and technical expertise, but was also flexible and open to new ideas.
Any formal government election can adapt RIES with minimal expense and modification;
its introduction proved beneficial for both the voters and the government officials
as it enabled citizens to become participants in policy-making processes. It
also aided the government to hold elections in a cost-effective, responsive, and transparent
manner.
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