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Ballot Paper Classification and Validation System with Votes Counting Automation System

Ballot Paper Classification and Validation System with Votes Counting Automation System (“BPCVS”)
Operation mechanism and benefits of Pattern and Image Analysis Technology for Ballot Recognition
Workflow for the use of High Speed Scanners at Central Counting Station
Independent quality assurance services

Ballot Paper Classification and Validation System with Votes Counting Automation System (“BPCVS”)

Given the varying number of seats and candidates for each subsector in the ECSS By-e with some subsectors having relatively larger number of seats and candidates, the Registration and Electoral Office (“REO”) has commissioned a contractor to develop the BPCVS, whereby vote counting will be conducted in an automated mode with the aid of High Speed Scanners (“HSS”).

The BPCVS makes use of the HSS with Pattern and Image Analysis Technology for Ballot Recognition to read the choices marked on ballot papers. It also supports manual input (i.e. Valid Ballot Input System, “VBIS”) of the choices into the system.

The major components of the BPCVS include:

Component	Functions
1. Custom Programs of the BPCVS ("Custom Programs")	Installed in the computers of relevant functional units at the Central Counting Station for classifying, validating, and automated counting of ballots. Storage of data for all contested Subsectors (such as numbers of Election Committee members and candidates, candidates’ names and numbers). Integration and counting of all the valid votes on ballot papers scanned by HSS and inputted through VBIS, and store them into the central database. Printing of vote counting related reports and counting results.
2. Ballot Paper Classification and Enumerating Machine (“BPCEM”)	Scanning of ballot papers to record the number of ballot papers with breakdown by subsectors. Verification of the total number of ballot papers received from each polling station.
3. HSS	Scanning of ballot papers to record the valid votes into the BPCVS in an automated mode. Ballot papers rejected by HSS will be delivered to the Returning Officers (“ROs”) for consideration. ROs will decide whether the votes on questionable ballot papers are to be counted at the Questionable Ballot Paper Determination Table in the presence of the candidates and their agents who are present.
4. VBIS	Questionable ballot papers determined by the Returning Officers as valid will be input into the BPCVS manually. To ensure the accuracy of data entered manually, each ballot paper will be inputted into the BPCVS by two counting staff respectively and the BPCVS will instantly compare the results of the two entries. In case of any discrepancies, the BPCVS will give a prompt message which requires the counting staff to verify the data entered. The data inputted will only be stored into the BPCVS after all discrepancies have been reconciled.

Operation mechanism and benefits of Pattern and Image Analysis Technology for Ballot Recognition

Pattern and Image Analysis Technology for Ballot Recognition empowers the BPCVS to analyse ballot images and read the marked choices on a ballot paper. After voters marked the designated areas on a ballot paper, the system can identify and input the data into the system effectively and accurately in an automated mode without the need of tedious and repetitive manual efforts. This not only reduces significantly the chance of making mistakes by manual input, but can also reduce operational costs.
On the counting of votes, HSS with Pattern and Image Analysis Technology can identify and classify ballots, read the marked choices on the ballots, and convert them into digital data that computers can process. The custom programs of the BPCVS will count the votes on valid ballot papers, integrate the data, and store them into the central database.

Workflow for the use of High Speed Scanners at Central Counting Station

After the close of poll, polling staff will deliver the ballot boxes to the Central Counting Station.
After the opening of ballot box(es) by the Returning Officer (“RO”), BPCEM will be used first to enumerate the number of ballot papers for verifying with the ballot paper accounts and recording the number of ballot papers received for each subsector.
To ensure the secrecy of votes, ballot papers from different polling stations will be mixed and then undergo simple visual screening before they are to be counted.
HSSs will be used to validate the ballot papers and count the votes on the valid ones.
For questionable ballot papers separated during visual screening or scanning, they will be passed to the ROs of the respective subsectors for determination. Candidates and their election or counting agents may make representations during the determination process but the decision of the ROs on the ballot papers is final.
The valid votes marked on each ballot paper determined as valid by ROs will be input into the BPCVS manually through VBIS. Counting staff will work in pairs to perform double data entry to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the inputting process.
Once the Chief Returning Officer (Subsectors) confirms that all vote-counting of all subsectors has been completed, the Counting Zone Command Centre will consolidate the counting result through the BPCVS.
Votes captured by the HSSs and the VBIS will be consolidated through local area network by the BPCVS to form the counting results.

Independent quality assurance services

As in past elections, the REO will ensure that the 2025 ECSS By-e are conducted openly, fairly and honestly. Considering that the BPCVS is the vital part of the Elections, the REO has commissioned four independent quality assurance services to ensure the integrity and reliability of the BPCVS:

Privacy Impact Assessment

To evaluate whether the system has potential privacy issues and provide improvement recommendations when necessary.

Independent Testing Services

To conduct comprehensive testing on the programs of the BPCVS, including function testing, system integration testing, and load testing, etc.

Information Technology Security Risk Assessment and Audit Services (“IT SRAA”)

To provide an information technology security risk assessment and audit on the entire system, including access control, data security, application security, network and communication security, etc.

Computer Audit Services

To provide a computer audit on the integrity of the entire automated counting process so as to ensure the BPCVS complies with all relevant requirements, and monitor the integrity, security and accuracy of the data in the BPCVS.
To audit the test plans, test specifications and test results submitted by both BPCVS Contractor and Independent Testing Services Contractor, and offer advice where necessary.
To review reports submitted by the other three independent quality assurance service providers and offer advice where necessary.
To monitor the whole counting process at the Central Counting Station.

The contractors of the four independent quality assurance services have completed all pre-production audit / testing on the BPCVS. Final system testing on the BPCVS will be conducted by the contractors at the production site at the Central Counting Station before formal operation of the Central Counting Station.