Shaping Technology, Safeguarding Democracy
Guiding the Digital Transformation Toward Open, Inclusive, and Credible Elections
Digital technology is increasingly shaping how democracy functions. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in election campaigns, the openness of election data, and discussions surrounding electronic voting (e-voting) present both opportunities and challenges. These developments call for governance frameworks that ensure technology promotes transparency, protects citizens’ rights, and strengthens electoral integrity.
Open data, for instance, can broaden public access to information and strengthen public oversight. However, openness must go hand in hand with personal data protection. Similarly, the use of AI in election campaigns requires regulation to prevent misuse, while the implementation of e-voting must take into account security, accessibility, and accountability. Technology should not merely offer convenience; it should also help maintain public trust in the democratic process.
Issue VII of the Perludem Bulletin explores these issues, from efforts to promote an open, inclusive, and secure digital democracy and the challenges of regulating AI in election campaigns to discussions on the constitutionality of e-voting. This issue also examines the importance of open election data, invites young people to reflect on the evolution of electoral democracy, and highlights concerns surrounding the selection of election management body members and its implications for electoral independence and integrity.
Through this bulletin, Perludem invites readers to view technology as a means of strengthening democracy, rather than an end in itself. Governing technology means ensuring that every innovation remains rooted in the public interest, upholds citizens’ rights, and creates greater opportunities for public participation.
Happy reading!
