A smart voting system using facial recognition and fingerprint at Makerere University

Abstract

The significance of a secure and efficient voting system has increasingly become pivotal in today’s digital era and in particular, Makerere University. The traditional voting method currently used at the university faces challenges such as low voter turn up due to limited accessibility, multiple cases of fraud, limited verifiability and accountability. This project aims to address these challenges by developing a smart voting application that incorporates advanced authentication techniques, real time updates and enhanced security measures. The scope of the project involves designing a user-friendly interface, integrating face recognition and fingerprint authentication and establishing a secure backend infrastructure. The methodology includes making use of tools like Figma for interface design, OpenCV for face recognition and the MantraFS100 fingerprint scanner SDK for authentication. Consequently, this project demonstrates a significant improvement in the voting process. Through its intuitive user-interface, the accessibility and usability are enhanced thereby allowing voters to easily navigate through the options and submit their votes. Face recognition and fingerprint authentication ensure the accuracy and integrity of the voting system thereby addressing the risk of fraudulent activities. Real time updates provide transparency and enable voters to stay informed about the progress of the voting process. This project showcases the potential of integrating advanced authentication techniques and real-time updates. The adoption of face recognition and fingerprint authentication enhances the security and trustworthiness of the voting system. The use of WebSocket technology enables seamless communication and immediate updates thereby improving the overall voting experience. The implications of this project extend beyond the development of a voting app. The findings highlight the effectiveness of incorporating biometric authentication and real-time updates in other applications requiring secure identification and timely information dissemination. The successful implementation of the smart voting app opens avenues for further research and development in the field of secure electronic voting systems.