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In
the contrary, and as stated in a study by Kenneth Newton
and Pippa Norris from Harvard University called Confidence in Public Institutions: Faith, Culture or
Performance? "An erosion of
confidence in the major institutions of society, especially those of
representative democracy, is a far more serious threat to democracy than a loss
of trust in other citizens or politicians". "A loss of confidence in
institutions may well be a better indicator of public disaffection with the
modern world because they are the basic pillars of society".
As
a blog that promotes best practices in election administration and advocates
for the adoption of voting technologies, we firmly believe in the benefits of
automation. In this young industry of automated voting, we have seen the
positive effects e-voting has brought forth when well implemented. Nations with
highly polarized political atmospheres, and in the brink of social and
political unrest, have managed to strengthen their democracy through the
institutional confidence that results from the efficient adoption of electronic
voting. One such example is Venezuela.
For
the last eight years, Venezuela has managed to improve election automation to
such level that theirs have been deemed as technically impeccable by pundits,
politicians and international observers. Just recently, former President
Jimmy Carter named Venezuela's voting system as the most advanced in the world.
Now, the biggest contribution electronic voting has brought to Venezuela has
been the levels of trust it has instilled in the general population. According
to one of the most known Venezuelan pollsters, Datanálisis, seven of every ten
voters believe the voting system utilized is modern, and 95% believe it is easy
to use.
The
CNE, Venezuela's National Electoral Council, is nowadays among the most trusted
institutions in the South American nation. According to a survey
by Hinterlaces, an important and respected pollster firm, 71% of
Venezuelans trusts the National Electoral Council. The church is one of the few
institutions ranking with such high percentages.
To
put these numbers into context, let’s refer to Gallup's
Confidence in Institution analysis. According to a poll done last June 7-10,
2012 in the United States of America, the Military ranks highest with 75% of
approval. Small business follows with 63% and Police with 56%. After that, no
other institution ranks with more than 50%. State branches, which could be
compared to Venezuela’s CNE, are not so well qualified. The Presidency obtained
37%, the U.S. Supreme Court has 37%, and lagging behind is Congress with a mere
13%.
Venezuela
is just one more example of how electronic voting has helped enormously to
promote democracy. Fortunately, the number of countries resorting to e-voting
is growing.
