Functional requirements of Online Voting System with non-functional

Functional Requirements

1. User Management:
   • Voter Registration: Allow eligible voters to register, verify their identity, and create accounts.
   • Authentication: Provide secure login mechanisms using strong authentication methods (e.g., two-factor authentication).
   • Role Management: Define roles such as voters, election officials, and administrators, each with specific permissions and access levels.
2. Election Management:
   • Election Creation: Enable administrators to create and configure elections, including defining election types, dates, and candidates.
   • Ballot Design: Design and manage ballots, including candidate lists, propositions, and other voting options.
   • Election Scheduling: Schedule elections and ensure that voting periods are clearly defined and enforced.
3. Voting Process:
   • Ballot Access: Allow voters to access their ballots securely during the voting period.
   • Vote Casting: Enable voters to cast their votes electronically, ensuring that the process is straightforward and user-friendly.
   • Vote Confirmation: Provide voters with confirmation of their submitted votes and a receipt or confirmation number.
4. Security and Privacy:
   • Vote Encryption: Encrypt votes during transmission and storage to ensure confidentiality and prevent tampering.
   • Voter Privacy: Ensure that each voter’s choices are private and cannot be accessed by unauthorized parties.
   • Fraud Prevention: Implement measures to detect and prevent fraudulent activities, such as multiple voting or unauthorized access.
5. Result Management:
   • Vote Counting: Accurately count and tally votes in real-time or after the voting period ends.
   • Result Reporting: Generate and display results in a clear, accurate, and timely manner.
   • Result Certification: Allow for the certification of results by authorized election officials.
6. Audit and Verification:
   • Audit Trails: Maintain comprehensive logs of voting activities, including voter actions and system changes.
   • Verification: Provide mechanisms for verifying the integrity and accuracy of votes and results, including post-election audits.
7. User Support:
   • Help and Guidance: Provide users with access to help resources, FAQs, and instructions on using the system.
   • Support Channels: Offer support channels for voters and administrators to resolve issues or answer questions during the voting process.
8. Accessibility:
   • User Interface: Ensure that the system’s user interface is intuitive and accessible, including support for various devices and screen sizes.
   • Accessibility Features: Implement features to support users with disabilities, following accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).
9. Integration:
   • Third-Party Services: Integrate with third-party services for identity verification, email notifications, and other functionalities.
   • API Integration: Provide APIs for integration with other systems, such as voter registration databases or election management tools.

Non-Functional Requirements

1. Performance:
   • Response Time: Ensure that the system has fast response times for accessing ballots, casting votes, and generating results.
   • Scalability: The system should handle a large number of concurrent users and votes, especially during peak voting periods.
2. Reliability:
   • Availability: Maintain high system availability with minimal downtime to ensure voters can access the system throughout the voting period.
   • Fault Tolerance: Implement mechanisms to handle system failures and ensure continuity of voting operations.
3. Usability:
   • User Experience: Design an intuitive and user-friendly interface that makes the voting process easy to understand and navigate.
   • Accessibility: Ensure the system is accessible to all eligible voters, including those with disabilities, by adhering to web accessibility standards.
4. Security:
   • Data Protection: Protect all sensitive data, including voter information and votes, with encryption and secure storage.
   • Authentication and Authorization: Implement robust authentication methods and role-based access controls to safeguard the system.
   • Compliance: Adhere to relevant legal and regulatory standards for online voting and data protection.
5. Maintainability:
   • Code Quality: Ensure that the system’s code is well-documented, modular, and maintainable to facilitate updates and troubleshooting.
   • System Updates: Support regular updates and patches to address vulnerabilities, improve functionality, and enhance security.
6. Compatibility:
   • Cross-Platform Support: Ensure the system is compatible with various operating systems and devices (e.g., desktops, tablets, smartphones).
   • Browser Compatibility: Ensure the web-based interface works across major web browsers (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari).
7. Backup and Recovery:
   • Data Backup: Implement regular backups of system data to prevent loss and ensure data integrity.
   • Disaster Recovery: Develop a disaster recovery plan to restore operations and data quickly in case of major disruptions.
8. Legal and Compliance:
   • Privacy Policy: Clearly state privacy policies and terms of service to comply with legal requirements and build user trust.
   • Regulatory Compliance: Ensure the system complies with regulations related to online voting, data protection, and election integrity.