Design and Implementation of Online Voting System Case Study: Kampala International University

ABSTRACT The report provides a technical analysis and reviews of a database driven website which has been designed and constructed by the researcher to assist the Kampala International University guild union in conducting its elections. In designing the database driven website, the researcher has used Macromedia Dreamweaver 8, PHP language and MySQL server. In the design of the user interfaces, Macromedia Dreamweaver 8 has been used for its support in incorporation of graphics in the process of PHP programming. The study involved the design and implementation of a web based system for Kampala International University that will provide easy, accurate and in time registration of voters and election results. The problem was analyzed carefully and steps to solve it were drawn. Various literatures were reviewed in chapter two of this document. This was done in order to get an overview of what has been done before concerning the problem. An overview of web based systems is given as well as various concepts concerning its implementation. The development methodology and tools has been discussed in detail in chapter three. This includes knowledge acquisition and analysis, data collection techniques, development tools and system validation. Details of the new system like system specification for the new system are discussed in chapter four. System testing, data conversion and loading and system evaluation details has been also discussed in chapter five. Finally, chapter six contains the conclusion and recommendations.

TABLE OF CONTENT

DECLARATION

APPROVAL II

DEDICATION jjj

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINITIONS .~.. V

LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES VI

TABLE OF CONTENT VII

ABSTRACT XI

CHAPTER ONE I

INTRODUCTION I

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 Background of the topic 1

1.2 Statement ofthe Problem 2

1.3 Purpose of Study 2

1.4 Objectives 3

1.5 Research Questions .3

1.6 Scope ofthe Study 3

1.7 Significance of the Study 4

1.8 Conceptual Framework s

CHAPTER TWO 6

LITERATURE REVIEW 6

2.0 Introduction 6

2.1 Online Voting System 6

VII

2.2 Case study of Coventry University 6

2.3 Case study of Cambridge University 7

2.4 Case study ofTrent University 9

CHAPTER THREE 12

METHODOLOGY 12

3.0 Introduction 12

3.1 Research design 12

3.2 Target population 12

3.3 Sampling technique and size 12

3.4 Research instruments 13

3.4.1 Observation 13

3,4.2 Questionnaires 13

3.5 Data processing and analysis 13

3.6 Modeling tools 13

3.5.1 Use case diagram 13

3.6 Development tools 14

3.6.1 Programmingtools 14

3.6.1.1 PHP Version 4.0.6 14

3.6.1.2 Java Script 14

3.6.4 The Apache HTTP Server version 1,3 15

CHAPTER FOUR 16

DATA PRESENTATION AN]) ANALYSIS 16

4.0 Introduction 16

4.1 Data presentation and analysis 16

CHAPTER FWE 21

SYSTEM ANALYSYS, DESIGN AND DEVELOMENT 21

viii

5.0 Introduction .21

5.1 The currentsystem., .21

5.1 Gaps realized with current voting system 21

5.1.2 Easy of manipulating voters register 21

5.1.3 Easy of manipulating the election board 22

5.1.4 Manual counting of votes 22

5.1.5 Delay of announcement of results 22

5.2 New system 22

5.2.1 New system design 22

5.2.1.1 System Aichitecture 21

5.2.1.2 Database design 24

5.2,2 New system operation 27

5.3 Strengths ofthe new system 35

5.4 The new system requirements 35

5.4.1 Hardware requirement 35

Table 5.1: Hardware Requirement ofthe workgroup computers 36

Table 5.2: Hardware Requirement of server 36

5.4.2 Software requirements 36

Table 5.3: Software Requirement ofthe new system 36

5.4.3 Security requirements 36

5.6 System changeover 39

5.7 Testing 40

CHAPTER SIX 40

DISCUSSION, RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION 41

6.0 Introduction 41

6.1 Discussion of the Findings 41