Welcome to the world of e-democracy! In this article, you’ll learn how to implement Hääl, an Anonymous Electronic Voting System that leverages the power of public blockchains. Hääl signifies the “voice” of the people in Estonian—an essential concept for any democratic system.

What is Hääl?

Hääl is a proof-of-concept e-voting system that operates on a blockchain. This implementation utilizes advanced cryptographic techniques such as zero-knowledge proofs, homomorphic encryption, and stealth addresses, ensuring a secure and anonymous voting process without the need for centralized authorities or unnecessary complexities.

Installation Prerequisites

Before diving into the installation, ensure you have the following tools ready:

• ganache-cli ^6.3.0 or Ganache ^1.2.2
• Node 8
• Solidity ^0.4.5
• Yarn ^1.13.0

Setup Instructions

Follow these easy steps to set up your environment:

yarn install
yarn truffle build
yarn ganache-cli

Running the Test

Open a new terminal and execute the following to run your tests:

yarn truffle test

Manual Installation for Debugging Purposes

If you want a more hands-on approach, you can manually install necessary dependencies. Here’s how:

apt-get install node npm
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/creationix/nvm/v0.32.1/install.sh | bash
nvm install 8
nvm use 8
curl -o /usr/bin/solc -fL https://github.com/ethereum/solidity/releases/download/v0.4.25/solc-static-linux
chmod u+x /usr/bin/solc
curl -o ganache-1.2.2-x86_64.AppImage -fL https://github.com/trufflesuite/ganache/releases/download/v1.2.2/ganache-1.2.2-x86_64.AppImage
chmod +x ganache-1.2.2-x86_64.AppImage
npm install -W no-cast-function-type 2> debug.log
node ./node_modules/truffle/build/cli.bundled.js build
./ganache-1.2.2-x86_64.AppImage (on a new terminal)
node ./node_modules/truffle/build/cli.bundled.js test

Troubleshooting Common Issues

During compilation, you might encounter the following warning:

haal/contracts/HAAL/haal.sol:2:1: Warning: Experimental features are turned on. Do not use experimental features on live deployments.
pragma experimental ABIEncoderV2;

This warning indicates that you are using an experimental method to manage arrays. While it’s acceptable for development, avoid using such features in live deployments.

If you face any other issues, consider checking your versions of dependencies or reviewing the installation steps. For additional troubleshooting tips and insights, feel free to reach out, as we are here to assist you.

For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.

A Deeper Understanding of the Code

Let’s shed light on the code components utilized in Hääl by using an analogy. Think of the entire voting system as a secure vault:

• Zero-Knowledge Proofs: Like having a lock that only permits access under specific conditions without revealing its key, guaranteeing confidentiality.
• Homomorphic Encryption: Picture this as a combination lock that allows you to manipulate numbers without unlocking it, enabling counting without revealing individual votes.
• Stealth Addresses: Imagine creating a secret passage to the vault that only you know about, protecting identities and transactions while maintaining security.
• Digital Signatures: These act as unique fingerprints, certifying that the votes come from verified individuals, ensuring no fraudulent activity.

Conclusion

Building an e-voting system may seem complex, but with the right tools and guidance, you can create a secure and efficient platform for anonymous voting. At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.