[kictanet] Manual Backup and Elections 2017: Is the CS ICT Honest

Sun Jan 1 11:57:17 EAT 2017

... and here's an example of why we need backup systems in case
primary systems fail:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38482746

"London ambulance service hit by New Year fault"

Happy New Year to all 'Kictanetters' :)

Tony

On 31/12/2016, Alex Watila via kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>  <https://twitter.com/IEBCKenya> IEBCVerified account‏@IEBCKenya
>
> We register, identify and transmit results electronically. But that is not
> "electronic voting". Voting, has and still is, by a ballot paper
>
>
>
> https://twitter.com/IEBCKenya/status/814390489449459712
>
>
>
> From: kictanet
> [mailto:kictanet-bounces+awatila=yahoo.co.uk at lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf
> Of Collins Areba via kictanet
> Sent: Friday, December 30, 2016 6:07 PM
> To: awatila at yahoo.co.uk
> Cc: Collins Areba <arebacollins at gmail.com>; JImmy Gitonga
> <jimmygitts at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Manual Backup and Elections 2017: Is the CS ICT
> Honest
>
>
>
> Let's dissect the problem into pieces.
>
> 1: voter registration: collecting details, photos and fingerprints.
> (Multiple data types)
>
>
>
> 2: verification: ascertaining that registered persons are in the system, and
> dead / expired ones are removed from the system. (Boolean: yes / No)
>
>
>
> 3: voting: choosing from one of several options.
>
>
>
> 4: tallying : counting the choices at the polling stations and recording the
> results on paper or device.
>
>
>
> 5: transmission: sending this information to regional and national tallying
> centers.
>
>
>
> Maybe the good CS can explain how al shabbat can disable IT solutions so
> much that manual "backups" would suffice.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 30 Dec 2016 17:58, "Grace Mutung'u via kictanet"
> <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke <mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> >
> wrote:
>
> Thank you Wash for initiating the discussion. I also wondered whether a
> complimentary system was used in voter registration and where this system
> resides.
>
>
>
> I remember a quote by the IEBC CEO during the Kenya IGF where he stated that
> being a Republic based on democracy, we have made elections the only means
> to access power.  https://livestream.com/internetsociety2/kigf
>
> He recalled the use of tech in the 2010 Referendum, 2013 elections and the
> various by-elections that have taken place. In the Referendum and most
> by-elections, there was not much contest about use of technology while for
> 2013 some issues were raised- these included multiple registers, voter
> impersonation and transparency.
>
> The tech community has an important role to play in demystifying some of
> these concepts.
>
> a) The wording of the amendment read "complimentary mechanism for
> identification of voters". It has now been expanded to include transmission
> of election results "where technology deployed initially fails".  What would
> this mean, in the case of identification of voters and in the case of
> transmission of results? What complimentary systems were envisaged here?
> "Manual backup?"  The ambiguity in the wording is a challenge as it leaves
> too room for interpretation in a system of high contests.
>
>
>
> b) The  mischief that technology was meant to cure in elections management
> was among others allegations of voter impersonation and transparency in
> management of elections. Tech is therefore supposed to achieve simplicity,
> accuracy, verifiablilty, security, accountability and transparency. Is the
> conversation about a " complimentary" system a necessary one at this stage?
>
>
>
>
> Outside of the amendment, has anyone come across the data that CA presented
> on network coverage in the counties? A visualisation of that data besides
> the polling stations would be useful in helping us identify the specific
> polling stations/tallying centres that are not covered. I am asking this
> because the presenters spoke of areas not covered by network as opposed to
> polling stations/tallying centres not covered.
>
>
>
> Raha tupate na ustawi
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 2016-12-30 13:54 GMT+03:00 Victor Kapiyo via kictanet
> <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke <mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> >:
>
> I agree. We should put together our submissions as the ICT community and
> present the same to bunge.
>
>
>
> Victor
>
>
>
> On 30 Dec 2016 13:50, "Dorcas Muthoni via kictanet"
> <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke <mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> >
> wrote:
>
> Thanks Walu, it's time for us to stand up.  Let's demystify this tech.
>
>
>
> On Dec 30, 2016 1:43 PM, "Walubengo J via kictanet"
> <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke <mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> >
> wrote:
>
> I think this is an opportunity for the ICT fraternity to take up the
> challenge and demystify electronic systems in elections.  I believe this
> forum has the most neutral platform where the media, academia, operators,
> regulators, government, legal and other interested parties can brainstorm on
> this.
>
>
>
> I propose that early in the year,  a face-2-face roundtable TV /Radio
> broadcast (NTV, Citizen, KTN?) deliberation to break this down -perhaps at
> Strath University (CPIT are you there?).
>
>
>
> A lot has been written on the issue of electronic systems in elections but
> seems nobody READS, least of all politicians from both sides of the divide.
> I can imagine a cast of the following:
>
>
>
> IEBC: CEO or Rep?
>
> Regulator: CEO or Rep?
>
> Operator: Safcom/Airtel/Telkom?
>
> ICT Min: Minister or rep?
>
> Academia: MMU/Strath/UoN/?
>
> Political Party: Jubilee+CORD Rep?
>
> Moderator &Broadcaster: Media (Citizen, NTV,KTN)
>
> Convenor: KICTAnet -GG are you back from holiday?
>
> Sponsors: Anyone?
>
>
>
> If we do not hijack this ICT conversation, the politicians will run with it
> in the wrong direction and we might find ourselves exactly where we were in
> 2007.
>
>
>
> walu.
>
>
>
>
>   _____
>
>
> From: JImmy Gitonga via kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
> <mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> >
> To: jwalu at yahoo.com <mailto:jwalu at yahoo.com>
> Cc: JImmy Gitonga <jimmygitts at gmail.com <mailto:jimmygitts at gmail.com> >
> Sent: Friday, December 30, 2016 1:14 PM
> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Manual Backup and Elections 2017: Is the CS ICT
> Honest
>
>
>
> Thank you Odhiambo Washington,
>
>
>
> I have the same concerns myself. I reached the conclusion that it would be
> nice if "ICT Experts" could lay their hands on a BVI machine as well as a
> and show the rest of us what the problem really is. The ERT issue is a red
> herring. It has worked flawlessly in the bi-elections that have happened
> ever since. With PKI and 2 factor authentication, this can be solved for
> election day.
>
>
>
> I am sure Victor Kyalo and Joseph Mucheru could make this possible. Call it
> a "Kenyans as ICT stakeholders" meeting. All Listers with time will begin to
> be asked by their family or neighbours, what the issue really is. I, for
> one, do not want to echo the CS's words.
>
>
>
> I think the CS and the PS should help us help them. Otherwise they will be
> on their own when the political vultures come calling.
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Jimmy Gitonga
>
>
>
>
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2016 11:30:08 +0300
> From: Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo at gmail.com <mailto:odhiambo at gmail.com> >
> To: Kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
> <mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>  >
> Subject: [kictanet] Manual Backup and Elections 2017: Is the CS ICT
>         Honest
> Message-ID:
>         <CAAdA2WPFoRvjF5Bodk+sHb-P4_ rUp2AXpA9Q3zAk-UR57cqwGw at mail.
> gmail.com
> <mailto:CAAdA2WPFoRvjF5Bodk%2BsHb-P4_rUp2AXpA9Q3zAk-UR57cqwGw at mail.gmail.com>
>>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Dear Listers,
>
> I am at that position where I feel very lost. In fact, I feel like I am
> quite detached from the reality.
>
> All along, I have keenly considered this matter that seems to have divided
> the country down the middle: *Manual Backup* during the 2017 voting
> process. From the Jubilee/govt side this is a do or die and so it must be
> there. This govt side seems hell-bent on confusing the masses, as well as
> the experts like the ICT Community. From the Opposition side, the agenda
> seems to be very clear - that of ensuring integrity of the Voters Register
> and stopping 'ghost voters' from ever casting their votes.
>
> That brings us to the famous acronyms - BVI (Biometric Voter Register) /
> BVI (Biometric Voter Identification).
> Having been to a Voter Registration Centre (later to become a Polling
> Station) to register as a voter, I did look at the equipment in use for the
> registration process. I saw the laptop which was fitted with a camera and
> fingerprints scanner. All these require power to run. I did not dwell on
> how they were powered, but probably there was a battery backup somewhere
> (besides the electricity) given that they needed to run for a whole day for
> several days during the voter registration process. When it comes to the
> Elections, they only need to run for about 11 hours. My point here is that
> of *Backup Power* should it be that there's electricity blackout and the
> built-in batteries can't last the whole day. That backup is very important.
>
> However, I did not see any piece of equipment which could suggest that the
> equipment in use required any form of connectivity back to some central
> server in order to function! Which now brings me to the currently national
> debate - Manual Backup during the Poll Day. What is it? Was the CS honest
> with his presentation before the Senate/Amos Wako committee yesterday? Does
> the CS himself really believe in the content of his presentation? I am
> asking that because I watched him and I don't believe him. I actually think
> he mislead the committee, and hence the nation at large.
>
> Someone please prove me wrong. I am at that point where I believe that the
> BVR/BVI does NOT require any form of connectivity and so this Manual Backup
> being touted by the ruling coalition side, strongly supported by  the ICT
> CS is a big lie. WHY?
>
> My very first answer: Simply put, *when there was no requirement for a
> manual backup during voter registration, it goes without saying that there
> is NO NEED for on the polling day.*
>
>
> 1. For the issue that is in contention - BVR (used for BVI during polling)
> - this is a database that can be (and should be) statically stored on the
> equipment for each polling station. We are not supposed to rely on the
> Mobile Network to access this voters database. And every polling station
> can have two/three laptops/Biometrics scanner/Backup batteries to ensure
> that the voter identification doesn't fail.
> Some excuse has been fronted about some voters being mechanics, such that
> their fingerprints wouldn't be recognized by the BVI systems hence need for
> manual identification. My take on that is that every voter must carry their
> voter's card on that day. The clerks can check that card number against the
> electronic system - enter it, and it will bring the person's picture, ID
> number, etc and let him cast his ballot.
>
> 2. For electronics results transmission (ERT), this is not even necessary
> in the first place. We can have the results collated/announced at the
> tallying centres after being certified - forms 36A, and such. However, if
> the ERT must be done, the data footprint is so tiny that a 2G network can
> be used. Besides, it can be an SMS based system, which doesn't require 3G
> or VSAT. The results data isn't that large - it can't be in Megabytes to be
> sincere. Well, VSAT can be used if they MUST, but this is after the voting
> process itself is complete, has nothing to do with BVI.
>
> The ERT and the BVR/BVI are two distinct systems. That is what I want to
> believe. The ERT gets feedback from a manual process - of voters casting
> their vote, clerks/agents counting, verifying, and certifying, filling
> requisite forms then communicating the same via some customized phones
> which are programmed to communicate to a backend system. Am I right on
> that??
>
> Now the big question here is, where do we need this much touted manual
> backup where network connectivity is being used as the major reason???
>
> (a) Citing terrorism and the possibility of Al Shabaab knocking off base
> stations seems like well thought out lie meant to cover our eyes! If they
> attacked an area, I doubt there will be voting in the 1st place.
>      And even so, the network connectivity is not required for BVI so there
> is no disenfranchising anyone if there is no manual backup (whatever that
> is).
>
> (b) Citing hacking is neither here nor there for a BVR/BVI system because
> it's not being accessed live during the voting. It's a static database,
> unique to the polling station, resident on the laptop used by the clerks.
> The only hacking that can be done then can only be by an "insider". Quoting
> Victor Kapiyo from Social Media, "*I guess it's a question of trust. Trust
> in systems and in trustworthy people to do the right thing. For M-Pesa, or
> KCSE results, we trust both. For IEBC, I guess the jury is still out*."
>
> The main issue is not allowing the dead voters to rise again to vote in the
> presidential vote, then disappear. So the important component here is the
> BVR/BVI, the credibility of the register and hence the vote.
>
> At what point does the BVI system require this connectivity they are
> talking about, which then necessitates the so called "manual backup"?
>
> Did the CS ICT lie to the Senate?? Did the CAK lie to the Senate in
> supporting the lie from the CS??
>
> There is insincerity in this whole debate about 'manual backup' and the ICT
> community seems to either support it or is simply lost in the pool of
> confusion being peddled by politicians.
>
>
> --
> Best regards,
> Odhiambo WASHINGTON,
> Nairobi,KE
> +254 7 3200 0004/+254 7 2274 3223
> "Oh, the cruft."
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> people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and
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> people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and
> development.
>
> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
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>
>
>
> --
>
> Grace L.N. Mutung'u
> Skype: gracebomu
> Twitter: @Bomu
>
> <http://www.diplointernetgovernance.org/profile/GraceMutungu>
>
>
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> people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and
> development.
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> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth,
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>

-- 
Tony White