Study on Online Voting for Thai Pharmacy Council Committee in 2021

Abstract

Objective: To present the application of online voting technology to the election of the Thai Board of Pharmacy Council (TBPC), and compare advantages and disadvantages of online voting and that using ballots. Methods: The study collected data on the voting for the TBPC by the Council’s members in the past up to the recent election in order to compare voting rate between online voting and voting based on ballots in the past. The study analyzed voting rate of members in each age groups and voting time since the first day of voting allowed. The study also compiled the opinions of electoral committee on restrictions and suggestions for improving online elections. Results: The use of online voting increased the proportion of members who exercised their right to vote from that of sole ballot voting in the 8th term (17.30%) to 45.15% and 55.34% in those using online voting in the 9th and 1th terms, respectively. Age groups with more than 50% of members  exercising their right covered groups from 25-62 years old, which were broad age range including generations X, Y, and baby boomers. Conclusion: Online voting increased voting rates in election of the TBPC for 3 times as compared to that using ballots. Overall, age is not a restriction to access an online voting system. However, the voting system must be designed to be user-friendly, and having data security. It should be coupled with the  communication on new voting methods to the members.