mustafa degerli - 2016 - seÇsİs - computer supported central voter registry system of turkey

Computer Supported Central Voter Registry System (SEÇSİS)

Summary: This report gives information about Computer Supported Central

Voter Registry System (SEÇSİS) [General Information about and Main Objectives of

Computer Supported Central Voter Registry System (SEÇSİS) Project, History of SEÇSİS Project, SEÇSİS Infrastructure, Benefits of SEÇSİS, and Components of SEÇSİS] and Evaluation of

SEÇSİS in accordance with eGovernment Economics Project (eGEP) [Evaluation of SEÇSİS in accordance with eGEP Indicators, Main Examples of Efficiency regarding SEÇSİS, Main

Examples of Democracy regarding SEÇSİS, and Main Examples of Effectiveness regarding

SEÇSİS].

Mustafa Değerli

METU Informatics Institute

June 2016

Ankara, Turkey

SEÇSİS

Mustafa Değerli – 2016 1

Table of Contents

Table of Contents ................................................................................................................. 1

List of Tables ........................................................................................................................ 2

List of Figures....................................................................................................................... 3

1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 4

1.1 Scope ........................................................................................................................... 4

1.2 Definitions and Abbreviations ......................................................................................... 4

1.3 References .................................................................................................................... 5

2. Computer Supported Central Voter Registry System (SEÇSİS) .......................................... 6

2.1 General Information about and Main Objectives of Computer Supported Central Voter

Registry System (SEÇSİS) Project .......................................................................................... 6

2.2 History of SEÇSİS Project ............................................................................................... 7

2.3 SEÇSİS Infrastructure .................................................................................................... 8

2.4 Benefits of SEÇSİS ........................................................................................................ 8

2.5 Components of SEÇSİS .................................................................................................. 9

3. Evaluation of SEÇSİS in accordance with eGovernment Economics Project (eGEP) ........... 10

3.1 Evaluation of SEÇSİS in accordance with eGEP Indicators .............................................. 10

3.2 Main Examples of Efficiency regarding SEÇSİS .............................................................. 22

3.3 Main Examples of Democracy regarding SEÇSİS ............................................................ 23

3.4 Main Examples of Effectiveness regarding SEÇSİS ......................................................... 23

4. Appendices ................................................................................................................. 24

SEÇSİS


List of Tables

Table 1 - Evaluation of SEÇSİS in accordance with eGEP regarding Efficiency ......................... 10

Table 2 - Evaluation of SEÇSİS in accordance with eGEP regarding Democracy ...................... 16

Table 3 - Evaluation of SEÇSİS in accordance with eGEP regarding Effectiveness.................... 18

SEÇSİS


List of Figures

No figure is available in this document.

SEÇSİS


1. Introduction

1.1 Scope

This report gives information about

Computer Supported Central Voter Registry System (SEÇSİS) [General

Information about and Main Objectives of Computer Supported Central Voter

Registry System (SEÇSİS) Project, History of SEÇSİS Project, SEÇSİS

Infrastructure, Benefits of SEÇSİS, and Components of SEÇSİS] and

Evaluation of SEÇSİS in accordance with eGovernment Economics Project (eGEP)

[Evaluation of SEÇSİS in accordance with eGEP Indicators, Main Examples of

Efficiency regarding SEÇSİS, Main Examples of Democracy regarding SEÇSİS, and

Main Examples of Effectiveness regarding SEÇSİS].

1.2 Definitions and Abbreviations

eGEP eGovernment Economics Project

IPS Intrusion Detection and Prevention System

SEÇSİS The Computer Supported Central Voter Registry System of Turkey

SSL Secure Sockets Layer

SSPS SEÇSİS Ballot Box Results Sharing System

UYAP

Ulusal Yargı Ağı Projesi

The National Judicial Network Project of Turkey

YSK

T.C. Yüksek Seçim Kurulu

The Supreme Election Board of Republic of Turkey

SEÇSİS


1.3 References

eGovernment Unit

DG Information

Society and Media

European

Commission

eGovernment Economics Project (eGEP) Measurement Framework

Final Version, 2006.

Yüksek Seçim

Kurulu Seçmen

Kütüğü Genel

Müdürlüğü

SECSIS, Computer Supported Central Voter Roll Project, 2013.

T.C. Yüksek Seçim

Kurulu

Computer Supported Central Voter Registry System SEÇSİS Project,

No Date.

SEÇSİS


2. Computer Supported Central Voter Registry System

(SEÇSİS)

2.1 General Information about and Main Objectives of

Computer Supported Central Voter Registry System

(SEÇSİS) Project

SEÇSİS is one of the most important projects, Turkey has completed on the way of being

an e‐government and concerns nearly 70% of Turkey’s population. In SEÇSİS, voter data

are held on a central database based on Turkish Republic Identification Number.

Plebiscite, Village Demarche, Village Elders elections works on all district election councils

(about 769 places) which has judicial organized group since 02.10.2006. The project was

successfully used in the XXIII Term Senator Elections made on 22 July 2007 and for

presenting the change of constitution to referendum on 21.10.2007.

In the scope of SEÇSİS project, online secure computer communication between host

(Data Processing Center of High Election Council) and clients (district election councils) is

being provided via UYAP local and satellite substitutable network infrastructure.

Depending on the Turkish Republic Identification Number, voter’s and candidate’s

identification data are being provided online from Identity and Address Sharing System

conducted by Ministry of Interior. Results of the XXIII Term Senator Elections firstly

published in detail of each ballot box data with transparent government mentality on

YSK’s Internet site.

By YSK, the main objectives of SEÇSİS are listed as:

Transferring the identity and address information of the voters to computer

environment on the basis of “Turkish Republic Identification Number,”

Saving the voter roll securely in an accurate, update, consistent manner and in

centralized structure as a whole in computer environment and using it in the

elections,

Carrying out the elections in a rapid, healthy, economic and transparent manner,

Transferring the election results from districts to the center rapidly and securely,

and

Providing the opportunity of identity, address and polling data examination via

Internet to voters and the opportunity of monitoring the election results via

Internet to the political parties, press and public.

With the SEÇSİS project, transparent and efficient public administration is created,

election job processes are reduced hence efficiency is provided. An e-Government project

which correctly informs citizens, public and private institutions and political parties has

successfully been completed. SEÇSİS application software whose final acceptance has

been made on 20.06.2006 has been used for plebiscite, village demarche, village Elders

council elections by all district election councils (769 places) which has judicial organized

group since 02.10.2006. Ballot counts in every ballot box were entered by 2000 officials

between 30 seconds and 1 minute, and results of elections can be taken rapidly in a time

like 4-5 hours. Total cost of the project was TRY 15.924.000 between the years 2001 and

2007.

SEÇSİS


2.2 History of SEÇSİS Project

History of SEÇSİS can be summarized as per the bullets below:

The Data Entry System Feasibility Report prepared by Hacettepe University

(1986)

System Analysis and Design Report (1987)

Purchasing 45 tipped data input system (1987)

Pilot implementation at the districts of Çankaya, Bala and Şereflikoçhisar (1988)

SEÇSİS Project Feasibility Report by the University of Hacettepe and adoption of

the report by the Supreme Election Board (1989)

Data entry of seven provinces to off-line system (1990)

The number of off-line provinces was 11 (1991)

Purchasing off-line running 110-tipped Unisys A-16 mainframe computer system

(1992)

Starting to use SEÇSİS application software based on voter identity by

transferring the data to A-16 (1992)

Purchasing Sun Fire 6800 computer system (2001)

Development of the new application by the adoption of distributed database, and

the pilot implementation of project (2001)

The number of off-line provinces was 35 (421 districts, 26 million voters) (2004)

Transition to the central database structure with a web-based application (2005)

Public tender of SEÇSİS new software and hardware (2005)

Beginning of processing the Turkish Republic ID number to the data of voters

(2006)

The dissemination tender throughout Turkey by using UYAP network

infrastructure and Trial General Parliamentary Elections (2006)

Updating voter roll by announcing the lists throughout Turkey (2006)

Holding the 23rd term parliamentary elections based on voter id registry (2007)

Referendum for the Amendment to the Constitution (October 21, 2007)

Amendment to the law (law No.5749), the integration with Identity Sharing

System and Address Registration System, and purchasing additional hardware

and development of software (2008)

Forming voter roll based on Turkish Republic Identification Number and transition

to permanent update (2008)

Removing finger painting process during elections (Law No.5749, 2008)

First General Elections with voter roll based on Turkish Republic Identification

Number (General Election of Local Administrations on March 29, 2009)

Referendum to Amend the Constitution (September 12, 2010)

Amendment to the law (law No. 5980, 2010), starting to synchronous sharing of

the ballot box-scaled election results with the headquarters of political parties

(2010)

Testing Ballot Box Results Sharing System with the political parties and putting it

into use (2011)

The system has been used in all elections since 2011.

SEÇSİS


2.3 SEÇSİS Infrastructure

SEÇSİS infrastructure can be analyzed in four dimensions. These are software, hardware,

security, and network. SEÇSİS infrastructure characteristics for each of these domains

are elaborated below.

1. Software

Unix, Sun Solaris, Linux, Windows 2003-2008

Oracle 10g, Oracle AS

JBoss

Java

2. Hardware

Sun (Oracle)

IBM

HP

Dell

Cisco

CheckPoint

F5

3. Security

Firewalls

E-mail, anti-virus and spam filtering applications

IpsecVPN (Virtual Private Network)

IPS (Intrusion Detection and Prevention System)

Load balancing

Access control

SSL

Physical security (face recognition, tourniquet passage)

4. Network

Fiber optic Metro Ethernet

UYAP network infrastructure

2.4 Benefits of SEÇSİS

YSK lists the benefits of SEÇSİS as follows: Duplicate voter registry is prevented by enrolling voters with unique Identification

Number,

Finger painting process on voting is done away with changing the law,

Citizens can reach their polling places information via www.ysk.gov.tr,

SEÇSİS


Voters’ Roll, Village Demarche Voters’ Roll, Voter Information Papers are being

taken rapidly by district election councils,

No form except unified ballot paper is pressed hence printing press and shipping

costs are reduced,

Entering election results by 769 district election councils’ client computers, data

could be taken at the center rapidly,

Voter and chest lists are given to political parties at magnetic medium,

Voter querying could be done with 7 different options, and

For election employees, payment and wage amount lists could be taken with auto

control.

2.5 Components of SEÇSİS

SEÇSİS has three main components: SEÇSİS Application System, SEÇSİS Portal System,

and SEÇSİS Ballot Box Results Sharing System. Each of these are elaborated below:

1. SEÇSİS Application System

Voter Operations

Ballot Box Operations

Election Operations

Dwelling Unit Operations

Management Operations

Trackback Operations

The Reporting Operations

Bulk Transfering Operations

MERNIS KPS, AKS, web services

Help

E-Mail

2. SEÇSİS Portal System

Decisions, Circular, Announcements and News regarding the Supreme Election

Board

Domestic Voter and Ballot Box Query

Overseas Voter Query

Election Results

Ongoing Elections

Obtaining On-line Information

3. SEÇSİS Ballot Box Results Sharing System (SSPS)

Monitoring and recording the election results entered by the districts

synchronously with the headquarters of political parties from the day of election

until the finalization of election results.

SEÇSİS


3. Evaluation of SEÇSİS in accordance with eGovernment

Economics Project (eGEP)

3.1 Evaluation of SEÇSİS in accordance with eGEP

Indicators

As “∆ %” values are not available and accessible, I have made my evaluations whether

SEÇSİS provides related benefit or not.

That is, instead of “∆ %” values, I used “+” if SEÇSİS promises any

benefits/improvements regarding the indicator, “-” if SEÇSİS does not promise any

benefits/improvements regarding the indicator, and “?” if it is not known whether SEÇSİS

promises any benefits/improvements regarding the indicator. Additionally, for each “+”,

“-“ and “?” characterization, I have provided example/explanations.

Table 1 - Evaluation of SEÇSİS in accordance with eGEP regarding Efficiency

Efficiency

Impact Indicator

Result (+ - ?)

and

Example/Explanation

Cashable

financial

gains

1. Δ % case handled per processing

full time equivalent

+

Owing to optimization and

digitalization with SEÇSİS

2. Δ % in average length of time to

process a standard case

+



3. Δ % K€ full time equivalent gains +



4. Δ % K€ in overhead costs (postage,

paper, print)

+


digitalization with SEÇSİS,

much less paper press with

SEÇSİS

SEÇSİS


Efficiency

Impact Indicator

Result (+ - ?)

and

Example/Explanation

5. Δ % K€ dematerialization savings

from e-procurement

+



6. Δ % K€ in maintenance costs +



7. Δ% of overall business as usual

budget

+



8. Δ % e-tendering as a % of total

transactions

+



9. Δ % economies of scale gains +



10. Δ % in revenue gains from

improved coverage

?

Not known with available

data.

Better

empowered

employee

11. Δ % in number of employees re-

trained

+

Personnel are trained via e-

learning and in-class

trainings.

12. Δ % public servants eGov/ICT

skills

+

More personnel hired for

digitalization and

maintenance.

SEÇSİS


Efficiency

Impact Indicator

Result (+ - ?)

and

Example/Explanation

13. Δ % in number of employees tele-

working

+

Personnel are able to

remotely access the

systems.

14. Δ % job flexibility score +

Personnel are able to

remotely access the

systems.

15. Δ % in improved job content score +

Personnel are equipped with

additional skills as some of

the operations are

digitalized.

16. Δ % in employees’ satisfaction

score

?


data.

17. Δ % in overall job attractiveness

score

?


data.

18. Δ % in overall job empowerment

score

+

As processes became more

manageable and optimized.

Better

organisatio

nal and IT

architecture

s

19. Δ % in number of transactions

performed online

+

Remarkable improvements

owing to digitalization and

automation.

SEÇSİS


Efficiency

Impact Indicator

Result (+ - ?)

and

Example/Explanation

20. Δ % in revenue collection cycle

length

+

As many of the processes

are automated and

digitalized, return on

investment with SEÇSİS is

significant.

21. Δ % in number of internal

protocols needed for cross-agencies

services

+

The SEÇSİS is integrated to

a number of additional

systems of Ministry of

Internal Affairs and UYAP.

22. Δ % in number of personnel

redeployed to front line activities

?


data.

23. Δ % in number of IT enabled face-

to-face contact points

+

System provided

digitalization and

automation.

24. Δ % in ratio of professional to

general service staff

?


data.

25. Δ % in number of re-designed

business processes

+

Owing to digitalization and

automation, a remarkable

amount of processes are

redesigned and redeployed

with SEÇSİS.

SEÇSİS


Efficiency

Impact Indicator

Result (+ - ?)

and

Example/Explanation

26. Δ % in number of integrated

services available in main Government

Portal

+

SEÇSİS is integrated with

census and UYAP systems.

27. Δ % in improved organization

score

?


data.

28. Δ % in improved inter-operability

score

?


data.

29. Δ % in activity standardization

score

+

Owing to standardization

and digitalization regarding

data collection, reporting,

and sharing.

30. Δ % in improved planning and

policy-making score

?


data.

31. Δ % in IT infrastructure coherence

score

?


data.

32. Δ % of public agencies with

integrated IT financial and resource

planning

?


data.

33. Δ % in improved internal

management score

?


data.

SEÇSİS


Efficiency

Impact Indicator

Result (+ - ?)

and

Example/Explanation

34. Δ % in improved internal

communication score

+

SEÇSİS came with e-mail

facility.

35. Δ % in volume of authenticated

documents exchanged with other

national public agencies

+

SEÇSİS provides data

exchange with UYAP.

36. Δ % in volume of authenticated

documents exchanged with public

agencies across EU

?


data.

37. Δ % in the number digital

knowledge sharing platforms for public

agencies

+

SEÇSİS is integrated with a

few nation-wide applications

like census services and

UYAP.

38. Δ % in the number of Public

Private Partnerships supported

+

SEÇSİS provides data to

external bodies like press

agencies.

39. Δ % in the volume of documents

exchanged digitally within PPP

+

A remarkable amount of

digitalization is achieved with

SEÇSİS.

40. Δ % in overall in inter-institutional

cooperation score

+

As data exchange is

improved.

SEÇSİS


Table 2 - Evaluation of SEÇSİS in accordance with eGEP regarding Democracy

Democracy

Impact Indicator

Result (+ - ?)

and

Example/Explanation

Openness

41. ∆ % in number of policy drafts

online for consultation

?


data.

42. ∆ % increase in number of

government websites with

Constituency Relationship Management

Applications

?


data.

43. ∆ % in response time to queries

received online

+


automation, there is a

significant improvement.

44. ∆ % increase in number of

government websites providing

platforms for digital interaction and

consultation (online forum, e-

petitioning, etc)

+

SEÇSİS adds to this.

45. ∆ % in number of government

websites providing two-way interaction

with users

+


46. ∆ % change in aggregate

openness score

+


Transparen

cy and

accountabili

ty


processes fully traceable online

+


48. ∆ % in number of transactional

services enabling online case tracking

?


data.

SEÇSİS


Democracy

Impact Indicator

Result (+ - ?)

and

Example/Explanation

49. ∆ % in number of public agencies

reporting their budget and expenditure

online

?


data.

50. ∆ % in number of public agencies

publishing online full organisational

chart with indication of responsibility

and contact information of each public

servant

?


data.

51. ∆ % in overall volume of

administrative and legislative

documentation online

+

SEÇSİS provides

digitalization of data and

records.

52. ∆ % in online public information

clarity and accuracy score

+

SEÇSİS provides all relevant

data to all relevant bodies.

53. % ∆ in externally assessed

transparency score

?


data.

Participatio

n

54. % ∆ in online public services with

certified accessibility

?


data.

55. % ∆ in externally assessed

participation score

?


data.

56. % increase in queries submitted

online ?

SEÇSİS


Democracy

Impact Indicator

Result (+ - ?)

and

Example/Explanation


data.

57. % increase in online forum

interaction

+

Users are able to interact

with the SEÇSİS.

58. % increase in policy drafts

downloaded

?


data.

59. Availability of online appeals

procedure and e-ombudsman

?


data.

Table 3 - Evaluation of SEÇSİS in accordance with eGEP regarding Effectiveness

Effectiveness

Impact Indicator

Result (+ - ?)

and

Example/Explanation

Reduced

administrati

ve burden

60. ∆ % in time saved for citizens +

SEÇSİS provided

digitalization and

automation; this provided

time saving for citizens to

check list or results.

61. ∆ % in valorised (K€) time saved

for businesses

?


data.

SEÇSİS


Effectiveness

Impact Indicator

Result (+ - ?)

and

Example/Explanation

62. ∆ % K€ cost savings for citizens

(travel, postage, fees to

intermediaries)

+

Citizens, press, and political

parties saved regarding

travel, postage, fees to

intermediaries.

63. ∆ % K€ cost savings for businesses

( travel, postage fees to

intermediaries)

?


data.

64. ∆ % users reporting e-service

saved time over traditional methods

for a standard bundle of services

+


automation provided with

SEÇSİS.

Increased

Users’

Value and

Satisfaction

65. ∆ % in number of officially filed

complaints

?


data.

66. ∆ % in waiting times for a

standard bundle of services

?


data.

67. ∆ % in off-hours service usage/info

downloads

?


data.

68. ∆ % in number of unique users

repeatedly using elective online

services

+

People use the SEÇSİS for

certain reasons and there is

a significant increase in this

context.

SEÇSİS


Effectiveness

Impact Indicator

Result (+ - ?)

and

Example/Explanation

69. ∆ % in number of unique users

cross-using services in Government

Portal

+

SEÇSİS is integrated with

other govermnment portals.

70. ∆ % in number of users reporting

eGovernment services to be useful

?


data.


information available in government

website to be accurate and credible

?


data.


government website to satisfactorily

address security and privacy issues

?


data.


they trust providing personal

information online

?


data.

74. ∆ % in overall eGovernment user-

satisfaction index

?


data.

75. ∆ % in overall eGovernment user-

satisfaction index by

age/income/educational attainment

?


data.


websites providing customer service

(online/call centre)

?


data.

SEÇSİS


Effectiveness

Impact Indicator

Result (+ - ?)

and

Example/Explanation

77. % increase in usage of

transactional Pan-European eServices

?


data.

78. ∆ % in usability score ?


data.

79. ∆ % in seamless service provision

score

?


data.

80. ∆ % in innovative service provision

score

?


data.

81. ∆ % in overall quality of service

score

?


data.

More

Inclusive

Public

Services

82. ∆ % in usage of public Job Portals Not applicable. Not related

with SEÇSİS.

83. ∆ % in usage of public eLearning

Portals

Not applicable. Not related

with SEÇSİS.

84. ∆ % in usage of public eHealth

Portals


with SEÇSİS.

85. ∆ % in usage of online forms to

receive Welfare benefits


with SEÇSİS.

86. ∆ % of Internet penetration by

age/ income/ educational attainment


with SEÇSİS.

SEÇSİS


Effectiveness

Impact Indicator

Result (+ - ?)

and

Example/Explanation

87. ∆ % increase of eGovernment

usage by socially disadvantaged

groups

?


data.

88. ∆ % in inclusion related public e-

services usage score

+

SEÇSİS positively added to

this.

89. ∆ % in number of SME bidding for

public tenders electronically


with SEÇSİS.

90. ∆ % in usage of government

portals for businesses


with SEÇSİS.

91. ∆ % in number of SME handling

export requirements online


with SEÇSİS.

92. ∆ % in usage of government portal

on funding opportunities


with SEÇSİS.

3.2 Main Examples of Efficiency regarding SEÇSİS

In this part, examples of efficiency regarding SEÇSİS are given with respect to cashable

financial gains, better empowered employees, better organizational and IT structures.

Main examples for this context are:

With SEÇSİS, no form except unified ballot paper is pressed and thus printing

press and shipping costs are reduced.

With SEÇSİS, entering election results by 769 district election councils’ client

computers, data could be taken at the center rapidly.

With SEÇSİS, duplicate voter registry is prevented by enrolling voters with unique

Identification Number.

With SEÇSİS, voter querying could be done with 7 different options.

With SEÇSİS, citizens can reach their polling places information via

www.ysk.gov.tr in a convenient way.

SEÇSİS


With SEÇSİS; SEÇSİS Application System, SEÇSİS Portal System, SEÇSİS Ballot

Box Results Sharing System (SSPS) are implemented and these provided a more

manageable and controlled infrastructure for YSK.

3.3 Main Examples of Democracy regarding SEÇSİS

In this part, examples of democracy regarding SEÇSİS are given with respect to

Openness, Transparency and accountability, participation.


With SEÇSİS, it was made possible for citizens to view identity, address and

polling data via Internet to voters and the opportunity of monitoring the election

results via Internet to the political parties, press and public.

SEÇSİS informs citizens, public and private institutions and political parties in a

digital and relatively convenient manner.

With SEÇSİS, duplicate voter registry is prevented by enrolling voters with unique

Identification Number.



With SEÇSİS, voter and checklists are given to political parties in digital forms.

With SEÇSİS, voter querying could be done with 7 different options.

With SEÇSİS, for election employees, payment and wage amount lists could be

taken with auto control.

3.4 Main Examples of Effectiveness regarding SEÇSİS

In this part, examples of effectiveness regarding SEÇSİS are given with respect to

reduced administrative burden, increased user value and satisfaction, more inclusive

public services.


With SEÇSİS, election job processes are optimized via automation and

digitalization.

With SEÇSİS, it was made possible to transfer the election results from districts

to the center rapidly and securely.

With SEÇSİS, ballot counts in every ballot box were entered by 2000 officials

between 30 seconds and 1 minute, and results of elections can be roughly

concluded rapidly in a time like 4-5 hours.

With SEÇSİS, finger painting process on voting is done away with changing the

law.



With SEÇSİS, Voters’ Roll, Village Demarche Voters’ Roll, Voter Information

Papers are being taken rapidly by district election councils

With SEÇSİS, no form except unified ballot paper is pressed.

With SEÇSİS, for election employees, payment and wage amount lists could be

taken with auto control.

SEÇSİS


4. Appendices

Works following which were benefited from while composing this report are attached.

eGovernment Economics Project (eGEP) Measurement Framework Final Version

eGovernment_Unit

.pdf

SECSIS, Computer Supported Central Voter Roll Project

YuksekSecimKurulu

SecmenKutuğuGenelMd.pdf

Computer Supported Central Voter Registry System SEÇSİS Project

TCYSK.pdf