Optimizing Electronic Voting System in Village Head Elections: Evaluation and Recommendations from Sleman Regency, Indonesia

INTRODUCTION: The rapid technological advancements of Industry 4.0 have influenced government politics, extending to the adoption of electronic voting in village head elections. In Sleman, e-voting was introduced in 2020, aiming for voting system efficiency and synchronization of population data, positioning the region as an e-voting pioneer in Indonesia. While e-voting offers efficiency and cost savings, it faces some problems. OBJECTIVES: This study endeavors to comprehensively assess the implementation of the e-voting system in village head elections and provide recommendations for its optimization, with a specific focus on the context of Sleman Regency. METHODS: This qualitative research encompasses data from 17 villages spread across 35 sub-districts within Sleman Regency. The study utilizes a comprehensive approach that includes secondary data analysis, incorporating literature, internet-based resources, scientific journals, books, regulations, and official documents. It further involves interviews with government officials at Sleman offices, officials at polling stations, and voters. Additionally, observational data is gathered to shed light on the intricate dynamics of e-voting. RESULTS: The evaluation focused on four pivotal aspects of the e-voting system's success: public trust, public participation, technology, and adherence to election principles. The findings reveal improved dynamics in 2021 when compared to 2020. Public trust in the e-voting system has notably increased, aligning with the relatively successful implementation in the previous year. While community participation has reached a satisfactory level, it has yet to attain full community control, with interesting nuances observed, particularly in less ‘advanced’ villages where participation tends to be lower. In the realm of technology, the e-voting system excels in terms of security, hardware reliability, the comprehensiveness of application features, and user-friendliness. CONCLUSION: The study underscores that the enhancement of e-voting systems presents an avenue to fortify democratic practices and electoral processes in Indonesia. Acknowledging imperfections in data collection systems and addressing participation disparities among villages should be prioritised. Furthermore, the study suggests that comprehensive future research is needed to evaluate the feasibility of extending e-voting systems to higher levels of government elections. This examination offers valuable insights into the evolution of e-voting in Indonesia and the prospects for its expansion in democratisation efforts.