Russia to Allow Parliamentary Voting by Mobile Phone

The Russian Parliamentary elections due in 2011 could use mobile phones for voting, the Central Elections Commission has announced. The Commission is looking to develop a java based application which could be downloaded to phones to allow secure voting services.

"Using the new voting technology, one doesn't need a special mobile phone: the main thing is that your phone supports Java applications," he was quoted by RIA Novosti as saying.

"The voter is to report the number of the phone he wants to use ahead of the elections. On election day, a special program will be sent to this number. The program can only be used once, after that it will be blocked," he explained.

He warned that the technology would be significantly more secure than that used for realty TV voting services.

On the web: RIA Novosti

Posted to the site on 9th April 2009