In the work, a detail description of the wireless IEEE 802.15.4/ZigBee protocol is presented along with the architectural design of the wireless voting system based on the mentioned technology. The voting system proposed in the work is based on the Freescale's 1321xNSK development kit. The problems related to the design and implementation of the system by means of the kit as well as the problems related to the record-management scheme using the application server, the data backup method and web-export functions including the views are described in the work. At the end of the work, the proposed system is analyzed from several points of view and its main characteristics are summarized.

Denna studie undersöker förutsättningarna för införandet av elektronisk röstning i Sveriges allmänna val genom att sammanställa främst styrdokument från offentliga organ inom området. Det huvudsakliga målet är att ge en heltäckande översiktsbild av de politiska respektive juridiska ambitionerna och hindren för att röstning i svenska val skulle kunna digitaliseras helt eller delvis.  Studien identifierar vilka möjligheter och utmaningar som finns i dagsläget genom en litteraturstudie. / This paper examines the prerequisites for implementing electronic voting in Sweden’s general elections by compiling policies of public organs in this area. The main goal is to give a comprehensive overview of the political and juridical ambitions or hindrances, respectively, in order to fully or partly digitise Swedish elections.   The study identifies the present opportunities and challenges by the means of a literature study.

Political climates are undoubtedly changing across the nation and creating volatile fluctuations of attitudes, beliefs, and behavior. In a more entertaining season of presidential primaries, both parties – Democratic and Republican – have nominees that will once again be scrutinized by many across the country. I argue the levels of scrutiny will more likely than not be enhanced to new proportions. Since a consistent reliance on media involvement and attack ads have grown immensely amongst presidential candidates, this will translate into a wider gap in party polarization and subsequently tie into the trust of American citizens. Previous scholars have shown consistent data that political trust has no bearing on the actual turnout of presidential elections (Citrin 1974). But, historic distrustful ratings between major-party candidates may prove to alter political cultures for subsequent years. In this study, I thoroughly examine the growing significance of political trust on presidential voting in the United States.

No description available.

To evaluate voting rules, it would be good to know what universe election outcomes are drawn from. Election theorists have postulated that elections might be drawn from various stochastic preference models, including the IC and IAC conditions, but these models induce empirically contradicted predictions. We use two distinct data sets, FairVote and German Politbarometer survey. Based on the data information, we suggest approaches that differ from those probabilistic models to better approximate the actual data in Chapter 3 and 4. Chapter 5 applies the spatial model for four-candidate in a three-dimensional setting. We also offer a significant gap between the actual and simulated data under the IAC conditions by comparing their statistical characteristics. / Doctor of Philosophy / Through the 1884 Third Reform Act, the plurality rule (or first-past-the-post system) runs to elect parliament members for the first time. More than a hundred years passed after the Act, and election theorists have suggested various alternatives, the plurality rule is the second most used rule worldwide for national elections for now. One main reason is that researchers do not reach an agreement on the best alternative rule. Theorists have evaluated different voting rules under probabilistic assumptions, but real-world examples contradict the predictions of these models. In this dissertation, we suggest different approaches provide a better approximation to the actual data. In Chapter 3 and 4, we go backward: analyze how voters of each preference order are distributed in real data first, then set a model for estimating the frequency of paradox. In chapter 5, we extend an existing model with higher dimensionality. Then using the model, we offer empirical evidence showing the gap between the actual and simulated data under a popular probabilistic model.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: in Information Technology in the Faculty of Informatics and Design at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology Supervisor: Dr Ephias Ruhode Cape Town campus December 2013 / The use of ICTs such as computers, electronic databases and other technologies have been in use for a number of years within the public sector to organise, manage and disseminate information to the public as well as to facilitate day-to-day communication in government offices. In this context, the value of the use of ICTs has been to assist and streamline government operations. The technological development in South Africa has opened up the possibilities of the use of ICTs in the democratic and governance process. E-democracy has been defined as a tool for abandoning the representative system for one with more direct citizen engagement. This study sets out to explore the challenges of the current electoral process, and also determine the factors that could influence the adoption and diffusion of e-voting technologies within the South African context. Literature has shown that countries such as Brazil and India have successfully implemented electronic voting systems and other countries are at various piloting stages to address many challenges and problems associated with manual paper based system such as costs of physical ballot paper and other overheads, electoral delays, distribution of electoral materials, and general lack of confidence in the electoral process. It is in this context that the study also seeks to determine whether the South African electoral management body can leverage on the opportunities that e-voting presents. However, with all the benefits that e-voting presents, there are countries such Germany, the Netherlands etc. that have tried and tested e-voting systems and decided to abandon these system to go back to the manual paper ballot voting systems because of various reasons ranging from cost, security and verifiability. This research is exploratory in nature and adopts qualitative research approach and it is within the interpretivism paradigm. Survey and interview strategies were used to collect data. A purposive sampling method was used to select the participants for the survey. To gain an understanding of the views of voters and electoral management body (IEC) about the current electoral process and e-voting technologies, literature was explored, a questionnaire was distributed online to voters and an in-depth semi-structured interview was conducted with the IEC. The study targeted voters who had access to the internet since the survey questionnaire was distributed online. The analysis is based on thematic analysis and diffusion of innovation (DoI) theory was also used to provide an analytical framework for the study. Through this framework the aims and objectives of the study were conceptualized around three constructs from the theory (relative advantage, compatibility and complexity). The findings of the study revealed that the three constructs from the DoI framework are important factors that may influence the adoption process of e-voting technologies. The findings also revealed other factors such as availability of ICT enable infrastructure and resources, digital divide, trust in technology, awareness of the technology and environment could that also influence the adoption process. The contributions of this research are anticipated to be a better understanding of the adoption of e-voting technologies in South Africa. For the electoral management bodies, the contribution of this research is that the research to some extent portrays factors that could influence the adoption of e-voting technologies in South Africa. Therefore, findings such as availability of ICT infrastructure and accessibility of these infrastructures should be taken into consideration before introducing e-voting technologies. Keywords: DoI (diffusion of Innovation), e-voting (electronic voting) technologies, E-governance, e-participation.

The focus of this paper is research of electronic voting topics applied to conditions of University of Economics, Prague and the Czech Republic. It therefore consists of not only theoretical research but also of applied work. First goal of this paper was to provide information base both about (especially electronic) voting and significant electronic voting projects realized throughout the world. Consequent second goal was analysis and design of electronic voting solution for chosen elections type at the University of Economics, Prague and proposal of possible process changes in chosen type of elections in the Czech republic should electronic voting be implemented. In it's first part the paper gathers, summarizes and presents information about (especially electronic) voting and chosen electronic voting implementations. The second part then describes chosen types of elections at the University of Economics, Prague and in the Czech Republic and analyzes their processes. In former case the analysis is followed by proposition and evaluation of possible electronic voting implementation variants of chosen elections type and detailed elaboration of the most suitable one. In latter case the paper goes on to describe possible process changes that could arise should electronic voting be implemented for chosen elections type in the Czech Republic. Author's contribution lies in fulfilling the goals of this thesis and performing the necessary activities leading to them. Following the (electronic) voting research the author has provides the reader with information base needed to quickly orientate tehmselves in the field of electronic voting. The author then leverages this information to research and process-analyze chosen types of elections at the University of Economics, Prague and in the Czech Republic, propose changes in mapped processes needed for eventual electronic voting implementation, present alternatives of electronic voting implementation of chosen elections type at the University of Economics, Prague and elaborate on the chosen most suitable one.

我國於94年6月22日公布修正後之公司法，正式賦予公司召開股東會時，得採行書面或電子方式供股東行使表決權之法律依據，期能使我國之公司治理與股東權益維護能與國際接軌；惟「股東會電子投票」制度，歷經元大京華證券股份有限公司、台灣總合股務處理股份有限公司及台灣集中保管結算所股份有限公司三個平台之建置，仍然未被各上市、櫃公司廣為採用，即使偶有採用者，其投票總權數占總股份之比例多數未及1%，顯示成效不彰。另2010年10月的亞洲公司治理協會(Asian Corporate Governance Association)年會，提出了最新一份的「CG Watch」報告，在這份報告中，ACGA指出我國推動股權權益的狀況上較前次調查類似，並未有太大改善，比如公司對國外投資人「通訊投票」、「分割投票」權益的行使，相關法規及配套仍不夠完備，而針對「通訊投票」得分，在歷次的評分中，我國都是敬陪末座，可以說，這幾年來此一核心問題並未被重視並獲得具體的改善。 基此本研究將以股東會通訊投票之法令、制度為經，佐以實務之見解為緯，參考外國經驗，藉由分析現行之問題並勾勒未來推動之建議供各界參考。本研究除分析我國股東會之基本概念、表決權行使方式、委託書之使用，並藉由對美、日兩國股東會制度及實務之探討，一窺國際之現況及未來發展之趨勢。另針對我國股東會通訊投票制度與現況進行背景說明，並介紹我國通訊投票下書面投票與電子投票之架構及現況，最後分析我國電子投票採用率偏低之原因。 此外，針對美、日、台三國股東會通訊投票制度分別由法規制度面、股東權益面、公司執行面及電子投票實務面進行比較，最後並提出對相關主事者之建議及對後續研究者未來研究方向之建議，以期經由各界之腦力激盪，共同為我國的資本市場國際化而努力。 / The amendment of Taiwan Company Act in June 22nd, 2005, upon its release, granted each shareholder the legitimate right to cast his/her vote by both written and electronic means in shareholders’ meetings. This amendment is menat to bring Taiwan’s corporate governance and shareholder rights in line with the international practice. However, with the limited use of no more than 1% voting rights of most listing and over-the-counter (OTC) companies on the three voting forums established by Yuanta Core Pacific Securities Co., Ltd., Taiwan Integrated Shareholder Service Company and Taiwan Depository & Clearing Corporation, the attempt has been proven unsuccessful. In addition, the latest “CG Watch” report, submitted during the 2010 Asian Governance Association annual conference held in October, has suggested that, similar to the previous reports, shareholder rights of Taiwan-based companies have not been improved outstandingly. For instance, the exercise of “postal voting” and “vote splitting” upon foreign investors of Taiwan-based companies has been restricted due to the flaws in the domestic voting system and regulations. Also, in the report, a constant low rating in “postal voting” for the Taiwan-based companies simply hints that the core issue has never been properly valued nor concretely improved. Based on the suggestions in the previous paragraph, this research paper provides an overview of the laws and the regulations of the postal voting system. The paper also includes opinions on practical needs and comparison from foreign experiences. By means of analyzing our current issues, the research draws an outline of the propositions for trends of the future development. Apart from analyzing the basic concepts of shareholders’ meetings held by some Taiwan-based companies, exercise of voting rights, and use of proxy forms, the research also peeks into the current situation around the globe and the future trends by consulting the system and the practical needs of shareholders’ meetings in the U.S. and Japan. As for the postal voting system and the current situation in Taiwan, the research provides a background illustration by introducing the structure and the current status of printed ballot voting and electronic voting under our postal voting framework. In conclusion, the paper points out the reasons for limited use of electronic voting in Taiwan. Finally, the research measures postal voting systems in the U.S., Japan and Taiwan from aspects of the laws and regulations, the shareholder rights, the corporate execution and the practical needs. In the end, in order for the effort of internationalization upon domestic capital market, the research eventually proposes the solutions for the related personnel in charge and the follow-up research direction for future researchers.

一般而言，股東會議程所有議案資訊必須事前揭露給全體股東，提供股東充分資訊，其方能在充分瞭解下作成投票決定。惟我國公司法長久以來承認股東有臨時動議與議案修正之權利，允許出席股東就第一七二條第五項規定除外事項之其他一切事項，在股東會現場提出臨時動議或原議案之修正，此舉不但將形成股東會議程資訊之漏洞，復以實務一般認為只要未違反第一七二條第五項之規定，股東可以在現場以臨時動議提議召開股東臨時會針對法定除外事項進行決議，或在同一議題下，可以提出任何修正案，而架空第一七二條之一股東提案權制度所寓有之資訊揭露功能。在無法獲得充分資訊之下，股東應當如何行使表決權，尤其未出席股東以書面或電子方式事前行使表決權時，更是需要充分資訊，否則一旦面對臨時動議或議案修正時，其表決權將依法視為棄權，更進一步衍生出表決權操縱和應否親自出席之問題，橫生枝節，臨時動議與議案修正之突襲性問題，亟待解決。 因此，參考美國、日本、德國、英國、香港、韓國和中國大陸公司法制，公司法應明文要求將股東會議程之主要內容或要領記載於召集通知中，股東會不得就召集通知所未記載之議案進行決議，股東如欲發表任何意見，應循事前提案權提出，而非在現場提出臨時動議或議案修正突襲其他股東。因此，本文建議禁止在現場提出任何臨時動議或議案修正。 / Generally speaking, the agenda of general meeting, including all motions, should be disclosed to all shareholders of the company in advance of a general meeting to provide them with sufficient information to vote (informed voting). However, according to Taiwan Company Act, shareholders have right to move extemporary motions or amendments all but any items as set forth in §172(5) hereof at the meeting. This will not only come to be a loophole resulting from blank statements in a notice of a general meeting, but also sideline the information disclosure function by implication of shareholder proposal in §172-1, because the court hold that the shareholder are entitled to move an extemporary motion to call a meeting to make a resolution on exclusion items in §172(5), or any amendment under the same subject. Thus shareholders are unable to vote without sufficient information, especially who cast their vote through writing or electronic transmission without participating in person in advance of the meeting. In case of extemporary motions or amendments, shareholders who cast vote through writing or electronic transmission shall be deemed to withhold their voting power. This result would bring some issues of manipulation of voting power and whether shareholders who have cast their vote through writing or electronic transmission should participate in person afterwards or not. However, extemporary motions and amendments with surprising nature shall be or shall not be, that is the question. In order to deal with this problem, the main component or general nature of items in the agenda of a general meeting shall be stated in the notice, and only the items stated in the notice could be validly passed at the general meeting by referring to the Company Act of the U.S., Japan, Germany, U.K., Hong Kong, South Korea, and Mainland China. If shareholders are willing to express their opinions, they should propose to ask to put in the agenda in advance of the meeting, instead of moving extemporary motions and amendments to surprise the others. This study suggests that no extemporary motion or amendment shall be allowed to move at the general meeting.

Submitted by Diogo Anunciação Reis (diogoanunreis@gmail.com) on 2015-02-24T02:27:24Z No. of bitstreams: 1 007293707_MPE_Dissertacao_V10.pdf: 747515 bytes, checksum: 91e13be0bac80e71972e87a4567cbc0b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Renata de Souza Nascimento (renata.souza@fgv.br) on 2015-02-24T16:06:57Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 007293707_MPE_Dissertacao_V10.pdf: 747515 bytes, checksum: 91e13be0bac80e71972e87a4567cbc0b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-02-24T16:11:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 007293707_MPE_Dissertacao_V10.pdf: 747515 bytes, checksum: 91e13be0bac80e71972e87a4567cbc0b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-01-26 / Este trabalho tem por objetivo contribuir para a discussão acerca do diferencial relativo de preços entre duas classes de ações - ordinárias nominativas (ON) e preferenciais nominativas (PN) - no Brasil e os seus determinantes no período compreendido entre 2002 e 2014. Considerando-se a disseminada utilização de duas classes de ações (com e sem direito de voto) por empresas listadas na BMFBovespa – permitindo a separação entre controle e propriedade - e a elevada concentração do controle, este trabalho contribui para o entendimento dos potenciais conflitos de interesse entre acionistas majoritários e minoritários. Utilizou-se o método de mínimos quadrados ordinários (MQO) e os procedimentos de efeitos fixos (EF) e aleatórios (EA) para um painel formado por 46 companhias listadas resultando em 1.653 observações. Foram encontradas evidências de que as ações ON (com direito a voto) são negociadas com prêmio em relação às PN (sem direito a voto) e de que o prêmio (pelo voto) apresenta leve tendência de alta durante o período. Por fim, em relação aos determinantes, foram encontradas evidências de que o maior grau de proteção aos acionistas minoritários, o tamanho da empresa e a maior proporção de ativos tangíveis (imobilizados) estão negativamente associados ao prêmio pelo voto. / This paper aims to contribute to the discussion about dual-class premium (voting and non-voting shares) and its determinants in Brazil from 2002 to 2014. Considering the disseminated issuance of voting and non-voting shares by Brazilian listed firms – allowing the separation of ownership and control – and concentrated ownership, this paper contributes to the understanding of potencial conflicts of interest between majority and minority shareholders. This paper applies the ordinary least square (OLS) method and the procedures of fixed (FE) and random effects (RE) for a panel of 46 listed companies resulting in 1.653 observations. We found evidence that supports a premium of voting shares over non-voting shares (voting Premium). Furthermore, this premium presented a slight upward trend during the period. Finally, regarding the determinants, we found evidence that higher protection levels of minority shareholders rights, firm’s size and higher proportion of tangible assets are negatively associated to voting premium.