Abstract | This paper unveils e-voting malpractices and discusses the application of network forensic tools. The paper also presents an introduction to digital forensics with emphasis on network forensics for acquiring digital evidence in a networked environment of an e-voting system. The research adopts qualitative assessment of the various issues of crime or malpractices in e-voting system as it relates to a network environment or distributed applications. Computer networking forms the bedrock of the operating platforms for most modern business organizations and more recently, distributed applications. This research brings to light the various possible anomalies or issues that a typical e-voting system in a network environment may witnesses per phase of the election. The phases of a typical election include registration, authentication, voting and vote counting and reporting. The research also presents various network forensic tools that can serve to mitigate or eliminate some of the identified anomalies. This research is suitable for election forensics as it will lead to the evidence required to authenticate the transparency and accuracy or otherwise, of a given election. Thus e-voting falls under the category of network-based applications for which network forensics is applicable. The tools recommended are proven tools for forensic investigation and will also serve for electronic-based elections that is, e-voting. |
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