Analysis of recommendation Rec(2004)11 based on the experiences of specific attacks against the first legally binding implementation of e-voting in Austria

Abstract

This paper discusses the recommendation Rec(2004)11 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on legal, operational and technical standards for e-voting in light of the various attacks against the 2009 Austrian federation of students election. This election was the first instance of e-voting being implemented in a legally binding election in Austria. The question is if the recommendation published in 2004 is sufficient to handle real-world attacks against elections using e-voting. Based on the experience gained, several amendments to the recommendation are described.