SMS Voting System

A computer is a device or machine for making calculations or controlling operations that are explainable in numerical or logical terms. Computers are constructed from components that perform simple well-define functions. The complex interactions of these components provide computers with the ability to process information. If correctly configured, a computer can be made to represent some aspect of a problem or part of a system. If a computer configured in this way is given appropriate input data, then it can automatically solve the problem.

The development of technology, (in terms of computing), have unexpectedly alter the means of making the world a better place to live into something far greater. From old to modern computing systems, things have become more convenient and accurate of tracking progress, communication, etc. and are still unceasingly discovering new innovations, being more distinct and better than the previous systems made.

If you have ever heard the phrase, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” then you know by judging a beauty pageant must be quiet subjective. There is no exact science in judging a beauty competition. There are some vague guidelines judges follow that are commonly unique to each pageant system depending on the different criteria the contestants must meet. A beauty pageant or beauty contest is a competition that mainly focuses on the physical beauty of its contestants, although such contest also incorporate personality, intelligence, talent, and answers to judges; questions as judged criteria.

Tabulating and voting system with SMS gateway is an effective way for scoring a contestant, voting a contestant through text, calculating of votes, and delivering an exact calculation of over-all votes. However in some school, the scoring of the contestants is done manually by the judges. Students also don’t have the chance to vote for their desired contestants. And who ever gets the high rank will be the winner. The same case applies to Beauty Pageants of ACLC Ormoc that is located at Chuliante Marketing Bldg. C. Aviles Street, and as a result, the tabulating system becomes prone to human error and could be more time consuming which can be more likely hassle to the judges of the pageant.

Definition of Terms:

Gateway – a device used to connect two different networks, especially a connection to the Internet. SMS – is an acronym or abbreviation which means “Short Message Service”, a means to send short messages through a mobile network. Mobile Phone – Device to be use for the students for them to vote and also handle SMS protocols i.e. sending, receiving messages. SIM – Subscriber Identify Module. The means to connect to a certain mobile network. Each SIM ca be identified from all others SIM’s.

Project Context This project proposal entitled “ACLC Ormoc Pageant Tabulating and Voting System via SMS Gateway” is an application development project that mainly focuses on the improvement of voting and tabulating of ACLC Ormoc Pageant.

This project aims to help the following persons: (1) the Pageant organizer, (2) the Judges, and (3) the Candidates/Contestants. We, the proponents believe that with the help of the software, the task will be simplified and effective in performing their work.

Through this project, the organization can work with less effort in doing their work. This project was initiated this September 2013 and is expected to be finished on March 2014.

Objectives Generally, this project entitled “ACLC Ormoc Pageant Tabulating and Voting System with SMS Gateway” aims to give fair decision and proper tabulation. Also help the event organizer to minimize correctional errors.

Specifically, it will assess the following objectives: To develop an ACLC Ormoc Pageant Tabulating and Voting System with SMS Gateway. To facilitate an efficient voting and tabulating system for the ACLC Ormoc Pageant. To have a fast and accurate voting and tabulating system with less time and effort in a sophisticated manner. To deliver honest and fair calculation of results reliably and hassle free.

Scope and Limitation

The scope of this system is to provide user efficient working environment and more output can be generated through the system for ACLC Ormoc Pageant. This system provides user friendly interface resulting in knowing each and every usability features of the system. The system focuses on creating a computerized tabulating and voting system for ACLC Ormoc Pageant.

The system cannot be accessed through internet. The system in this study uses a computer which will serve as the server. Voting online is also not available but voting can be done through SMS Gateway. User access will vary depending on their status; the judges that have the total control of the system can easily rate each candidate based on the given criteria. In voting, students cannot access the system but they can vote their desired candidate by using mobile phones in texting their candidate’s number and code number to the system. This system was made for the judges to judge the candidates based on rating and for the student also who will vote for their contestant.

Purpose and Description

The purpose of this project proposal is to develop and enhance the way of tabulating and voting here in ACLC Ormoc. This system can help the people who are working behind the event with the fair and under God’s policy, wherein the event organizer and judges will not use papers and pencils anymore. The automation of tabulation is a big help since it won’t take much time plus the feature of Short Message System voting is an interesting part because students can also vote in which will make the competition exciting.

The proponents believe that this project is beneficial to the following people: The Tabulator . This project will help the tabulator in making the tabulation and voting fast. The Judges. With the help of the system, the judges would just click and type their scores for the contestants. The students. They can easily vote their desired contestant through texting. The Contestants. They will experience the essence of real competition with the result of their performance according to the proposition. The proponents. They will experience the pressure of being a student and the challenge in analyzing, designing and building the project that is required for graduation.

Review of Related Literature and Systems

One of the significance steps of this study is to conduct a literature review. Through this chapter, the readers can familiarize the study of the researcher. This related study will give the readers and future researchers, an idea in conducting a study. The proponent selected and reviewed these studies to provide information to the readers.

Review of Related Literatures

According to Thomas Haupt (2008), there are a few different voting processes that could be considered "electronic voting". There is the paper based system that uses computers to count the actual ballots; however the original paper ballot is still intact. The electronic voting I would like to talk about is what they call DRE voting or, Direct Recording Electronic voting. One advantage of electronic voting is that, (in most cases), most ballots will be tabulated into the results. Paper-based voting machines can actually miss ballots because of human error in placing the paper-based ballot in the machine.

According to Kevin Bonsor and Jonathan Strickland (2008), today, votes are counted on an electronic system; which is much faster than a manual count. Voters use a touch screen or similar electronic device to make their choices. When the voter submits his vote, a printer attached to the device produces a physical paper ballot. An election official or volunteer takes all the paper ballots produced to a centralized location for counting once the polls closes. All is possible with the use of Direct Recording Electronic systems. A Direct Recording Electronic System is essentially a computer. According to Walter Jensen (2008), as you can see there are many advantages and disadvantages to electronic voting.

I believe that we are on our way to using an electronic system, but need to take into consideration these errors and faults that may prove to be trouble in the end. We must realize however that not one system will be error-free, but we can find the best alternative to make sure as many votes as possible will be counted.

According to Bruce Avasadanond (2012), Philippines is a country in Asia and is one of the South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN). They were one of the first countries in the continent to try and use e-voting in their last presidential elections. The Philippines is one of the most corrupt countries in Asia and vote buying, bribery etc. is very common. It is also one of the poorest countries, with a huge population that earns less than a dollar a day.

Turing back to e-voting, here are some facts: - They had 76,300 voting machines and a voting population of 45.5 million people. -Two-thirds of the vote were counted by around 10 pm, so this is a clear benefit of using a machine. According to Dr. Manalastas (2012), there is not enough time to reliably and effectively test the electronic voting machines that will be used in next year’s general elections in the Philippines. “We are being told that the programme is being customized for the Philippines, so can’t be released yet. But it is the data that needs to be tailored, not the programme itself. We have a suspicion that the winning vendors might not have the proper source code.” Dr. Manalastas also said that the voting technology, known as precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines, is too error prone for the Philippines’ first fully automated elections to run smoothly and securely.

Review of Related Studies

According to Kevin Bonsor (2008), since votes are recorded on a memory device, tabulation takes less time. There are no paper ballots to scan, so there’s less risk of mechanical error. While human error is still a factor and there is always a concern about software bugs; in an ideal system, tabulation is instantaneous with no need for recounts. According to Jonathan Strickland (2008), one of the advantages of a paper-based system is that the ballot is physically represented by a piece of paper. This tangibility reassures voters that their choices are being counted.

Still, a physical ballot does not ensure a vote will be correctly counted. Many factors can contribute to a misapplied vote. Holes in punch cards may not be properly aligned or fully punched, resulting in a “hanging chad,” made infamous in the 2000 election in Florida. On optical scan cards, stray marks or incomplete markings may be misinterpreted when tabulated. Printers that mark optical scan cards can run low on toner, resulting in cards with incomplete or unreadable marks. It may also be possible for a voter to vote for two or more candidates for a single position, known as over voting; these selections are not counted by tabulation devices.

According to The Center for Association Growth TCAG (2012), for several years of studying E-voting systems. The following are the top ten (10) benefits: (1.) Cost savings (2.) Increased participation rates (3.) Better informed voters (4.) Reduced administration (5.) Create and deploy ballot quickly and with ease (6.) Integrity of the vote (7.) Instant runoffs (8.) Last minute changes to the ballot (9.) Elimination of human error in the vote counting (10.) No need for recounts. According to Gloria Lin and Nicole Espinoza (2007), “Elections are unique”.

They change the fate of nations, influence participation and activism in politics, and deeply affect the lives and attitudes of citizens. We must ask: What are the benefits of electronic voting? One of the significant benefits of this new system is the possibility for increased efficiency. One thing to consider is that the success of electronic voting rests directly in the ability of the Electronic Voting Machines to function in the way the voting district needs and prefers.