Elections and technology have become inseparable in today’s world. Technology serves as a set of technical instruments designed to achieve key electoral objectives, such as improving efficiency and effectiveness while ensuring that electoral processes and outcomes are of high quality and integrity. However, in practice, proposals to adopt electoral technology are often not supported by adequate preparation or comprehensive assessment. As a result, the use of technology frequently becomes a paradox: instead of solving existing problems, it creates new ones.
Against this backdrop, this guide has been developed as a practical resource for election management bodies and countries that are considering the adoption of electoral technology, including Indonesia. Since Indonesia’s 2014 General Elections, electoral technology has been utilized extensively, particularly to promote open electoral data. Nevertheless, since the 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014 General Elections, as well as numerous regional elections, electoral technology has primarily been employed by election administrators for two main purposes: data tabulation and enhancing the transparency of the electoral process.
At the time this guide was written, e-voting and e-recapitulation had become central topics of discussion as potential technologies for future elections in Indonesia. In addition to providing practical guidance on the stages of adopting electoral technology and the key considerations for stakeholders—particularly election management bodies deciding which voting and counting technologies are most appropriate—this guide also examines the various forms of voting and counting technology currently available, alongside the experiences of countries that have implemented them. Furthermore, it documents Indonesia’s experience with different forms of electoral technology, highlighting their track records, lessons learned, and good practices that may serve as valuable references for other countries. Ultimately, the guide demonstrates that the application of electoral technology in Indonesia extends well beyond e-voting alone.
