WO2004042636A1

WO2004042636A1 - System and method for voting and ballot counting

Info

Publication number: WO2004042636A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/001492
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeong-Sook HONG
Original assignee: IT TANK CO Ltd; Total Soft Bank Ltd
Current assignee: IT TANK CO Ltd; Total Soft Bank Ltd
Priority date: 2002-11-06
Filing date: 2003-07-25
Publication date: 2004-05-21
Anticipated expiration: 2005-05-06
Also published as: AU2003247199A8; AU2003247199A1

Abstract

The system for voting and ballot counting comprises a voting unit (100) having a sensing means (10) for detecting insertion of a ballot card, a ballot card conveying means (20) for properly inserting and positioning the ballot card for marking, a press marking means (70) for marking a selection on the ballot card by pressing a button corresponding to a selected candidate, a temporary storing unit (200) for temporarily storing the votes received from the voting unit (100) and transmitting the results to a central processing system, and a ballot counting unit (300) for collecting the votes and recording the poll status according to the polls transmitted from the voting unit (100) and transmitting the results to the central vote processing system.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VOTING AND BALLOT COUNTING

Technical Field.

The present invention relates to a system and method for voting and ballot counting. When a ballot card is inserted into a voting machine, the ballot card is properly located on a polling position. When the voting machine is ready, a voter can select a candidate and press a button corresponding to that candidate. At the same time, a press marker is lowered to mark the selected candidate on the ballot card. The marked ballot card is discharged from the voting machine and deposited into the ballot box. Then, the vote is .automatically recorded, counted and stored in the storing unit. Therefore, this system shortens the time required for voting and vote counting.

Background Act During an election of the president, congressmen or district autonomy committee, a ballot card or slip of paper is generally used to vote manually. Then, the ballot paper is folded in half and deposited into a ballot box. The ballot boxes are collected at each precinct and delivered to the central vote count committee for counting the votes for each individual candidate and generating the election results.

However, the conventional method of voting and ballot counting has disadvantages. Because many voters may mistakenly mark an improper block of the ballot, it invalidates ballot counts. Sometimes the ballot paper is folded by voters before the ink is dry. This also causes an invalid ballot count, due to the smear of ink on the opposite side of the folded ballot. It is time consuming to manually sort, count and aggregate a lot of paper ballots.

When a nationwide election, such as a presidential election is completed, the ballot boxes at every precinct must be collected and delivered to a central counting place to aggregate the vote. Even though the ballot boxes are sealed and escorted by heavy security during the delivery, there is still a risk that ballots may be lost or tampered with. If this happened, it would be impossible to generate a true election result.

Furthermore, if certain vote counts are inaccurate, the suspicious polls must be recounted, which is a time consuming, inaccurate, error-prone and insecure process.

The conventional voting system and method has the potential to produce many invalid vote counts due to ink smears on the opposite side of the ballot card when ballots are folded before the ink dries. Many elderly voters or handicapped voters may mark improperly on the ballot card, also causing the invalid vote counts.

Disclosure of Invention

In order to solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention is introduced. The objectives of the present invention are to provide a system and method for voting and vote counting which consists of an apparatus and programs to read a marked ballot card and tally the votes to generate an election result. The system includes a voting unit that is able to detect the insertion of a ballot card and to automatically position the inserted ballot card properly for voting.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a temporary storing unit for locally storing the votes received from the voting unit and transmitting the vote data to a central processing system, and a ballot counting unit for aggregating the transmitted vote data and recording the poll status based on each precinct.

To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides a system for voting and vote counting including an apparatus and programs to read a marked ballot card and tally the votes to generate an election result. The voting system comprises: a voting unit (100) that is able to detect the insertion of a ballot card and to automatically position the inserted ballot card properly for marking a selection, a local storing unit (200) for temporarily storing votes from the voting unit (100) and transmitting the tally of polls to a central processing system, and a ballot counting unit

(300) for aggregating the transmitted tally of votes and recording the poll status based on the tally of votes transmitted from the voting unit (100) of each precinct.

Preferably, the voting unit (100) comprises; a sensing means (10) for detecting insertion of the ballot card (1), a ballot card conveying means (20) for inserting and properly positioning the ballot card for voting, a control panel (30) having a plurality of buttons for selecting a candidate, a control means (50) for controlling each component, a press marking means (70) for marking a selection on the ballot card by pressing a button corresponding to the selected candidate, which is electrically connected to the , control means (50) for issuing a control signal through a press operation signal generating means (15) to lower a press, a signal sending means for operating the motor (60) to discharge the marked ballot card according to the control signal of the control means (50),^' and a deposit means (80) for discharging and depositing the polled ballot card in a ballot box (80) through a declined tray (82) .

Further, the system for voting and ballot counting comprises a network connection unit (400) for encoding the vote count data received from the ballot counting unit (300) of each precinct and transmitting the encoded data to a server of the central vote count committee for aggregating the election result.

Moreover, the voting unit (100) comprises a transparent front cover to observe the polling process of inserting, locating, press marking and discharging of the ballot card. The sensing means (10) for detecting the ballot card comprises at least a set of detectors (16, 17) . The ballot card conveying means (20) comprises an insertion slot (a) , a discharge slot (b) , and a set of rollers (18) for conveying the ballot card.

A control panel (30) is equipped with a plurality of buttons including, but not limited to a selecting button (31) for each candidate, a confirmation button (32) for confirming the selection, a cancel button (33) for canceling a selection and a void button (34) for voiding a selection.

Furthermore, the selecting button (31) contains each candidate's ID number on the button or the candidate's image, name, brief information and ID number underneath each selection button on the front panel to help voters select the correct candidate.

A process for voting and counting votes consisting of programs to read a marked ballot card and aggregate the votes to generate an election result. The process includes the following steps: detecting insertion of a ballot card (S10) , locating the ballot card on a proper polling position (S20) , the voter pressing a button to select a candidate (S30) , marking the selection on the ballot card by pressing a button corresponding to a candidate (S70) , confirming selection of the correct candidate by pressing a confirmation button, transmitting and storing votes in a temporary storing unit (S80) , discharging and depositing the ballot card into a ballot box through a declined tray (S90) , and aggregating vote tallies and recording an election result (S110) . A process for voting and counting votes further comprising a step of: canceling a selection by pressing a cancel button when a voter has mistakenly pressed a wrong button when selecting a candidate (S30) , or voiding a selection after pressing the confirmation button by pressing a void button (S80) . A process for voting and counting votes further comprising a step of: connecting a network connection unit (400) for encoding vote counts received from the ballot counting unit (300) of each precinct and transmitting the encoded data to a server of the central vote counting committee for aggregating the election result.

Brief Description of Drawinσs

The accαtpanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an eπfoodiment of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall voting and ballot counting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2a is an external view of a voting apparatus according to the present invention.

Fig. 2b is a sensing device for detecting insertion of ballot card into the voting apparatus according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a ballot card sensing means .

Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a ballot card conveying means . Fig. 5 is a block diagram of an operating panel.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a selecting means and pressing means .

Fig. 7 is a vote recording slip.

Figs . 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d are flow charts for implementing voting and ballot counting according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is a block diagram of a voting and ballot counting system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a flow chart for implementing voting and ballpt counting according to another embodiment of the present invention. -

Detai l pd Description of the Preferred Efrtoodimants

Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings .

Referring to Fig. 1, an implementation of the present invention for voting and counting votes is disclosed: when a ballot card is inserted into a slot of a voting unit (100) , a sensor detects the insertion of the ballot card and the ballot card is positioned properly for marking. Then the voting system is ready to record a vote on the ballot card. A temporary storing unit (200) locally stores the vote data received from the voting unit (100) and transmits the tally of polls to a central processing unit . A ballot counting unit (300) aggregates the transmitted tally of votes and records the poll status such as the progress of counting, vote casting, counting time, etc. , based on the transmitted tally of votes from the voting unit (100) of each precinct.

First of all, the important components and controlling systems of the voting unit (100) are explained as follows: the voting unit

(100) comprises a power supplying means (5), a sensing means (10) for detecting the insertion of the ballot card ^• (1) , a press operation signal generating means (15) , a ballot card conveying means (20) , a control panel (30) having a plurality of buttons, a control means

(50), a motor operation signal issuing means (60), a press marking means (70) , a deposit means (80) and declined tray (82) . When a ballot card (1) is inserted into a slot of the voting unit (100), the sensing means (10) detects the insertion of the ballot card (1) . A signal is transmitted to the data control means (50) , which sends a motor operation signal through the motor operation signal sending means (60) . This signal activates a set of rollers (18) to pick up the ballot card and advance it to the proper polling position. When a voter selects a candidate from the control panel (30) and presses a button corresponded to the desired candidate, a press marker is lowered to mark a selection on the ballot card.

When a voter presses a button to select a candidate, data such as the candidate's name, voting time, identification number, precinct number, etc., are automatically recorded by the local storing unit (200) for temporarily aggregating the votes from the voting unit (100) . Then, the marked ballot card is discharged and deposited into a ballot box (80) through a declined tray (82) . The voting unit (100) is formed in a lateral L' -shape and equipped with a transparent front cover such as a glass or plastic panel for observing the internal process of inserting, positioning, press marking and discharging of the ballot card.

The most commonly used ballot card (1) is an OMR card, which is readable by an OMR card reader, so that it is possible to re-count the votes when the vote count is suspect.

Referring to Figs. 2a and 2b, the voting unit (100) is described in detail as follows. The power supply (5) provides electric power to each component. It also provides an emergency power supply such as a battery or secondary DC power source to protect the stored data and vote counts in case of a power failure.

A ballot card sensing means (10) has at least a sensor installed near an insertion slot for detecting the insertion of a ballot card. Both ends of the ballot card sensor cartridge have insertion slot (a) and discharge slot (b) aligned in parallel for a ballot card to pass through. At each insertion slot (a) and discharge slot (b) , a first detector (16) and second detector (17), respectively, are installed for detecting insertion and discharge of the ballot card. A set of rollers (18) is also installed at each insertion slot (a) and discharge slot (b) for conveying the ballot card.

The sensors (16, 17) employed could be contact-type detectors that are triggered by touching the ballot card or infrared detectors that operate by emitting and reflecting infrared radiation.

Each set of rollers (18) for conveying the ballot card is operated by a conveying motor, which is activated according to the motor operating signal through the control means (50) .

When a ballot card (1) is inserted into the insertion slot (a) , the first sensor (16) detects the insertion of the ballot card. After the vote data is processed, the ballot card is discharged through the discharge slot (b) and the second sensor (17) detects the discharge of the ballot card (1) . The ballot card conveying means (20) is activated for positioning the ballot card properly for marking. When a voter presses a selection button, the ballot card is positioned underneath a press marker corresponding to the selected candidate by the ballot card conveying means (20) . After voting is complete, the ballot card is discharged through an opening of the voting unit (100) by the ballot card conveying means (20) and deposited into a ballot box (80) .

As shown in Fig. 4, the ballot card conveying means (20) comprises a set of conveying rollers (24), a conveying belt (26) linked between the conveying rollers (24) and a set of belt supporters for maintaining a level conveying belt (26) . A conveying belt (26) linked between the conveying rollers

(24) is a compact-sized belt marginally wider than the ballot card sensing cartridge. There is a set of lateral guides along both edges of the conveying belt (26) to prevent the ballot card sensing cartridge from falling accidentally during the conveying operation. To prevent a deflection during the press marking process, a supporting device is provided under the conveying belt (26) and rollers (24) . Thus, the ballot card is maintained flat and level on the conveying system. Upon insertion of a ballot, the set of conveying rollers (24) is automatically activated by an operating motor until the ballot card is positioned properly for marking. After a vote is completed and the confirmation button is pressed (32), the operating motor is activated again until the ballot card is discharged through the discharge slot. As shown in Fig. 5, the control panel (30) has a plurality of buttons including many selecting buttons (31) for selecting a candidate, a confirmation button (32) for confirming a selection, a cancellation button (33) for canceling a selection and a void button

(34) for nullifying an unintended vote. The voting unit (100) is provided with a plurality of selecting buttons (31) , which is generally greater in number than the number of candidates in an election. The console under the group of selecting buttons (31) provides brief information for helping voters to selecting a desired candidate. The candidate's image and name are displayed along with an identifying number that corresponds to the number on the candidate's selection button.

If a voter mistakenly presses a wrong button, the voter can cancel the wrong selection by pressing a cancellation button and press a different selection button to vote for a correct candidate. When the voter presses a correct selection button, the voter can confirm the selection by pressing a confirmation button (32) . If the voter inadvertently confirms an incorrect selection, the voter may nullify the ballot by pressing a void button (34) . When the void button (34) is selected, a void press marks the ballot card and the null status is recorded.

The vote is automatically recorded and stored in a temporary storing unit (200) according to the tally of each candidate through control means (50) . As shown in Fig. 7, the data stored in the temporary storing unit, (200) contains voting time (year, month, day, hour, minute and second) , each candidate' s identifying number, the candidate' s name, vote serial number and precinct number, etc.

The control means (50) controls each component of the voting system. When a ballot card (1) is detected by the first sensor (16) of the sensing means, a motor operation signal is sent to activate the motor and a set of rollers (18) to position a ballot card properly for marking. When a voter presses a button corresponding to a selected candidate, a ballot card conveying means (20) carries the ballot card cartridge underneath the press marking means (70) . Then, the press marker (71) is lowered for marking a selection on the ballot card. Because the press marking means (70) is electrically connected to the control means (50) , the vote cast is automatically transmitted to the temporary storing unit (200) and stored. The control means (50) is connected to the data storing unit (55) for communicating the voting counts.

As shown in Fig 6, the press marking means (70) comprises a plurality of press markers (71), a press activating unit (72) and an activating signal receiving unit (73) . When a voter selects a button, which corresponds to a desired candidate, a press marking means (70) is vertically lowered for marking a selection on the ballot card.

When a selection button (31) is pressed by a voter, a press activating signal is issued by the press activating signal issuing means (15) through the control means (50) . Then a press operating motor is activated to lower the press marker to mark the ballot card

(1) corresponding to the selected candidate. The press marker (71) is replaceable for maintenance. The press activating unit may employ a magnetic force operating device such as a solenoid valve or a hydraulic device. The press activating unit (72) is also equipped with a sensor for detecting the operation of press markers (71) and an illuminating lamp to observe the voting process. When the press marking device is activated, the sensor reads the tracking marks at the corner of the ballot card (1) to ensure the ballot card is correctly positioned on the track. If the ballot card (1) is not located in the proper position, the control means (50) activates the ballot card conveying means (20) to adjust the position of the ballot card.

In the case of a voting unit equipped with digital buttons, the selection button is internally connected to the press activating unit (72) and the press markers (71) . When a voter selects a desired candidate by pressing the candidate ID number, the ballot card conveying means (20) activates to move the ballot card to the right or left until the desired candidate is properly located underneath the press marker. At the same time, the candidate's data is displayed on a small LCD window. When the confirmation button is pressed, the press activating unit (72) is activated to lower the press markers (71) to mark the ballot.

In case of a voting unit provided with a plurality of selection buttons, only the buttons with numbers assigned to the candidates are activated to use during an election. The buttons assigned to candidates are internally connected to the press activating unit (72) and the press markers (71) . For example, if a voting unit is generally equipped with twelve selection buttons, and there are eight candidates in a certain election, the eight buttons, which are assigned to candidates, are connected to the press activating unit (72) and the press markers (71) for activation during an election. The rest of the buttons are locked internally and deactivated during the election. The control means (50) issues a signal to operate the press marking means (70) and to store the vote in the data storing unit

(55) and temporary storing unit (200) . After the vote is recorded, the control means (50) issues an operating signal through the ballot card conveying means (20) to activate the roller motor. The ballot card is moved toward the exit slot and deposited into a ballot box

(80).

Furthermore, the control means (50) contains a program for processing the statistics of each candidates election results and communication modems for transmitting the ballot counts to the temporary storing unit (200) and ballot counting unit (300) .

The ballot counting unit (300) records and displays current statistics for each candidate such as vote time, vote counts and current or projected ranking. The voting progress is recorded on a diskette to be reviewed later or used to transfer the record after voting is completed.

Additionally, it is possible to independently deliver the temporary storing unit (200) and ballot boxes (80) to the central vote counting place in order to aggregate the vote counts in an approved server system, or, ^' after completing the election, the temporary storing unit (200) could be separated from the voting unit and connected to the ballot counting unit (300) for transmitting and aggregating the votes. At this point the vote result is cross-checked through facsimile. Hereinafter, referring to Figs. 8a through 8d, a process of voting and vote counting is explained in detail. When a registered voter appears at a polling place, the voter is identified and obtains a ballot card. In a polling place of a precinct, there are usually several voting booths, each containing a voting unit (100) . A voter may walk into a certain voting booth for voting. When the voter inserts his or her ballot card (1) into a voting unit (100) , the set of first and second sensors (16, 17) of the ballot card sensing means

(10) detect the insertion of the ballot card (S10) .

The control means (50) receives a signal from the sensors (16, 17) to activate a motor and conveying roller (18) to advance the ballot card (1) . The ballot card (1) is passed through insertion and discharge slots (a, b) to position it properly for marking (S20) .

On the front of the control panel (30) of the voting unit (100) , each candidates' identifying number is displayed at the corresponding selection button, along with brief information, such as a photo, name, ID number, brief career history and party affiliation, to help voters select the correct button for the desired candidate (S30) . After pressing a selection button (31) , the voter confirms his or her selection by pressing a confirmation button (32) . At this point, the control means (50) receives a confirmation signal (S40) .

Referring to Fig 8c, if a voter mistakenly presses the wrong button, the voter can cancel his or her wrong selection by pressing a cancellation button (33) . At this point, the control means (50) will receive a cancellation signal (S42) . Then, the voter can select the correct button to select the desired candidate (S44) . When the voter presses a correct button and confirms his or her correct selection by pressing a confirmation button (32), the control means (50) receives a confirmation signal (S40) .

When the control means (50) receives a confirmation signal from each voting unit (100) , each confirmation signal is verified as to whether the vote has been correctly performed by elapsing a certain time delay (S50) . Referring to Fig 8d, if the voter realized he or she has made the wrong selection again, the voter could nullify his or her selection by pressing a void button (34) . When a void button (34) is selected, the ballot card is marked by a void press to indicate nullification (S48) . At this point, the control means (50) will receive a void signal (S60) and record a null vote in the temporary storing unit (200) (S49) .

If the control means (50) does not receive a void signal after receiving a confirmation signal, a press operation signal generating means (15) issues a signal to activate a motor and press down a press marker for marking the ballot card (1) corresponding to the desired candidate (S70) .

The voting unit (100) is equipped with a transparent front cover, such as a glass or clear plastic panel, and an illuminating lamp to observe the internal voting process, i.e., the inserting, positioning, press marking and discharging of the ballot card.

Further, the control means (50) transmits and records the vote data such as each candidates' vote count status, vote time, identification number, district number, etc., in the temporary storing unit (200) . At the same time, the control means (50) issues a motor operation signal through a motor operation signal generating means (60) to activate a ballot card conveying means (20) . The ballot card is discharged through the discharge slot and deposited into a ballot box (80) through a declined tray (82) (S90) . When the control means (50) does not receive a signal of completing a voting cycle, it will standby for a couple of seconds

(S100) . When the control means (50) receives a signal of completing a voting cycle, the control means (50) transmits the vote data to the temporary storing unit (200) and the ballot counting unit (300) for recording and displaying the progress of aggregating vote tallies

(S110) .

Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, a block diagram and a flow chart is described for another embodiment of the present invention.

An alternative system for voting and vote counting comprises a voting unit (100) for selecting a candidate, a local storing unit (200) for temporarily storing the vote, a ballot counting unit (300) for aggregating the election result, a network connection unit (400) for connecting to the internet, an information communication network (500) for encoding the vote data and the central vote counting committee (600) for aggregating the election results.

The voting unit (100), local storing unit (200) and ballot counting unit (300) have the same functions as described earlier. The network connection unit (400) enables the encoding of vote data received from the ballot counting unit (300) of each precinct through a pre-stored program. The encoded data transmits to a server in the central vote count committee (600) through the information communication network (500) for aggregating the election results.

The network connection unit (400) is able to encode the election result through an RS232C or serial port. The encoded data is transmitted via an information communication network (500) such as a

TCP/IP or PSTN network to a server in the central vote count committee (600) . Alternatively, the voting data received through the RF module of the ballot counting unit (300) is encoded and transmitted to a server in the central vote count committee (600) via an information communication network (500) .

The central vote count committee (600) aggregates the vote counts depending on the candidate, precinct and real vote time. Then the election result is ready to release to the mass media. Hereinafter, referring to Fig. 10, an alternative process of voting and vote counting is explained, in which the central vote count committee server (600) is connected to the local storing unit (200), which is linked to the voting unit (100) through an information communication network (500) (S100) . In this case, the server of the central vote count committee

(600) receives data such as the current status and vote counts from the local storing unit (200) , which is linked to the voting unit (100) via the information communication network (500) (S102) .

The received voting data is encoded through the network connection unit (400) according to each precinct, voting time and candidate (S104) .

The central vote count committee (600) aggregates the vote counts and releases the election result to the news media (S106) .

Through the new voting system and method, it is possible to perform a convenient and accurate election. Therefore, most voters are easily voting for their desired candidates and the election result is promptly aggregated and released to the mess media.

The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology used is intended to be in the nature of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, it is to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. The present invention makes it possible to perform an election consistently and count the votes accurately without changing the conventional election environment such as a ballot card and facility. It has an effect to radically prevent erroneous elections and reduce mistakes by providing selection buttons at the control panel and displaying each candidates' identifying number along with brief information, such as a candidates' photo, name, ID number, brief career history and party affiliation to help voters select the correct button of the desired candidate.

It has an effect to promptly aggregate the nationwide vote tallies at the central server of the vote count place which are received from the local storing unit and vote unit of each precinct via the information communication network. It has an effect to verify the suspicious vote count when the election result is not accurate by recounting the ballot cards in the ballot box. The mechanically marked ballot cards are collected from the affected precincts and scanned through a high-speed OMR device for verifying the correct counts.

Claims

WHKT IS CEAIMED IS:

1. A system for voting and vote counting consisting of an apparatus and program to read in a marked ballot card and aggregate the tally of votes to generate an election result, the system comprises : a voting unit (100) capable of detecting the insertion of a ballot card, and to position said inserted ballot card properly for marking, a temporary storing unit (200) for aggregating and storing local votes from said voting unit (100) and transmitting said tally of polls to a central processing unit, and a ballot counting unit (300) for aggregating said transmitted tally of votes and recording said poll status based on said transmitted tally of votes from said voting unit (100) of each precinct .

2. A system for voting and ballot counting as claimed in claim 1, wherein said voting unit (100) further comprises; a sensing means (10) for detecting insertion of said ballot card (1) , a ballot card conveying means (20) for inserting and positioning said ballot card properly for marking, a control panel (30) having a plurality of buttons for selecting a candidate, a control means (50) for controlling each component and transmitting vote counts received from said control panel (30) , a press marking means (70) for marking a selection on said ballot card by pressing a button corresponding to a selected candidate, said press marking means (70) electrically connected to said data control means (50) for issuing a control signal through a press operation signal generating means (15) to lower a press marker, a motor operating signal issuing means (60) to discharge said marked ballot card according to a control signal from said data control means (50) , and a deposit means (80) for discharging and depositing said marked ballot card into a ballot box (80) through a declined tray (82) according to a control signal from said data control means (50) .

3. A system for voting and ballot counting as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a network connection unit (400) for encoding vote counts received from the ballot counting unit (300) of each precinct and transmitting the encoded data to a server of the central vote counting committee for aggregating the election results.

4. A system for voting and ballot counting as claimed in claim 1, wherein said voting unit (100) further comprises a transparent front cover to observe the polling process of inserting, locating, press marking and discharging of said ballot card.

5. A system for voting and ballot counting as claimed in claim 2, wherein said sensing means (10) for detecting said ballot card further comprises a set of insertion and discharge slots (a, b) for passing through, at least a set of detectors (16, 17) at each slot and a set of rollers (18) for advancing said ballot card.

6. A system for voting and ballot counting as claimed in claim 2, wherein said control panel (30) having a plurality of buttons for voting further comprises a selecting button (31) for selecting a candidate, a confirmation button (32) for confirming a selection, a cancel button (33) for canceling a selection and a void button (34) for voiding a ballot.

7. A system for voting and ballot counting as claimed in claim 6, wherein said selecting button (31) contains each candidate's voting number on each button head, or the candidate's image card, name, brief information and voting number appear underneath each button on the front panel to help voters select a candidate.

8. A process for voting and counting votes consisting of programs to read in a marked ballot card, and aggregate the votes to generate an election result, the process comprises the steps of: detecting an insertion of a ballot card (S10), positioning said ballot card properly for marking (S20) , selecting and pressing a button to select a candidate (S30) , marking a selection on said ballot card by pressing a button corresponding to a selected candidate (S70) , confirming the selection of a correct candidate by pressing confirmation button and transmitting and storing the vote in a temporary storing unit (S80) , discharging and depositing said ballot card into a ballot box through a declined tray (S90) , and aggregating vote tallies and recording an election result (S110) .

9. A process for voting and counting votes as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a step of: canceling a selection by pressing a cancel button, when a voter mistakenly presses a wrong button, after pressing a button to select a candidate (S30) or voiding a selection by pressing a void button when a voter presses a wrong button, after pressing a confirmation button to select a candidate (S80) .

10. A process for voting and counting votes as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a step of: employing a network connection unit (400) to encode vote counts received from the ballot counting unit (300) of each precinct and transmitting the encoded results to a server of the central vote counting committee to aggregate the election result.