Hackers uncover ‘significant’ flaw in Swiss Post e-voting
More than 3,000 hackers around the world are testing the e-voting system until March 24.
Keystone
A major bug has been identified in the new Swiss Post’s e-voting system. Hackers reported the flaw to Swiss authorities as part of a public intrusion test. Swiss Post has resolved the issue.
This content was published on
3 minutes
swissinfo.ch/jdp, urs
Español
es
Identificado el fallo en el sistema de votación electrónica
In mid-February, the Swiss government launched a public intrusion test, challenging IT experts to reveal cracks in the country’s new e-voting system by March 24. On March 12, a flaw concerning universal verifiabilityExternal link was discovered in the Swiss Post’s e-voting system by studying the system’s source code, which was released as part of the test. Universal verifiability makes it possible to determine with mathematical evidence whether votes have been manipulated.
While the flaw uncovered by the hackers does not allow the system to be penetrated, the Federal Chancellery still deemed it a “significant flaw” as it means it is not possible to detect whether the votes have been tampered with.
In a statement, the chancellery explained that the flaw means that “the Swiss Post system does not meet the legal requirements,” and it urged Swiss Post to review and improve its security processes to prevent such flaws.
The e-voting system currently being used in the cantons of Thurgau, Neuchâtel, Fribourg and Basel-City is not affected by this gap in the source code. It exclusively affects the system with universal verifiability provided for the intrusion test, which has never been used for a real vote.
In a statement on its websiteExternal link, Swiss Post acknowledged that the error in the source code had already been identified in 2017. However, the correction was not fully implemented by technology partner Scytl, which Swiss Post regrets. “Swiss Post regrets this and has asked Scytl to make the correction in full immediately, which they have done. The modified source code will be applied with the next regular release.”
The public intrusion test of the Swiss Post e-voting system ordered by the Swiss government and the cantons has been running for just over two weeks now. More than 3,000 hackers around the world are testing the system until 24 March.
People’s initiative
Opponents of e-voting say the latest flaw has permanently undermined trust in online voting systems.
They announced that they will officially launch their people’s initiative next Friday, calling for a five-year moratorium on e-voting and an end to ongoing trials with the digital technology.
The committee made up of politicians and computer experts has 18 months to collect at least 100,000 signatures for a nationwide vote on the issue.
In January, the group presented its plans which involve winning pledges from 10,000 people to help collect the necessary signatures.
The Swiss government wants to introduce e-voting as an additional option for citizens to participate actively in democracy.
The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad has called for online voting to be made available for all expatriates Swiss by 2021. It submitted a petition last November.
More
More
Opposition against e-voting project gathers pace
This content was published on
A committee of politicians and IT experts launches an initiative aimed at banning online voting for at least five years in Switzerland.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Swiss voters to decide on three issues on November 30
This content was published on
Compulsory service for all, a tax on million-dollar inheritances, more indirect subsidies for media publishers: the electorate can vote on these three national issues on November 30.
Dollar falls to lowest level against franc in 14 years
This content was published on
The weakness of the dollar in recent weeks continues. The greenback hit new lows for the year against both the franc and the euro on Tuesday.
This content was published on
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter has met French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the EU treaties and geopolitical challenges. US tariffs were also part of the bilateral talks.
This content was published on
Swiss moors and floodplains are in a poor state. Researchers say further efforts are needed to preserve these biotopes in the long term.
Drones banned during the three Euro games in St Gallen
This content was published on
The St. Gallen government has issued a temporary ban on flying drones around the football stadium in St. Gallen. The measure will apply on three match days of Euro 2025, which starts on Wednesday.
EU nationals come to Switzerland primarily to work
This content was published on
Given the demographic slowdown, the Swiss labour market must remain open, argues the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) in its annual report on the free movement of people.
UN expert accuses Glencore of complicity with Israel
This content was published on
The UN Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian Territories has accused Zug-based Glencore of profiting from an Israeli economy that has become "an economy of genocide".
Swiss parliamentary commission to investigate F-35 purchase
This content was published on
The Swiss government and the other responsible authorities must once again answer critical questions about the procurement of the F-35 fighter jets.
Objections and appeals most common obstacles to residential construction projects
This content was published on
Objections and appeals are most frequently responsible for delays in new residential construction projects in Switzerland.
Swiss electricity prices predicted to fall in 2026
This content was published on
Electricity prices in 2026 are likely to be lower than this year, according to a survey. The main reason is the fall in prices on the electricity market.
Flaw reported in Switzerland’s biggest e-voting system
This content was published on
A hacker claims to have discovered a weakness in canton Geneva’s e-voting system to attacks that could redirect online voters to malicious websites.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.