Securing the vote: How blockchain technology can transform Philippine elections

As the Philippines approaches its midterm elections, concerns about electoral fraud, vote manipulation, and the lack of transparency continue to dominate public discourse. Despite the implementation of automated voting systems in recent years, trust in the integrity of our elections remains fragile. In a time when technology is rapidly reshaping every aspect of society, blockchain presents itself as a powerful tool that could redefine the way we conduct our elections — making them safer, more transparent, and less prone to manipulation.

Blockchain is best known as the foundational technology behind cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, but its real power lies in its ability to securely record data across decentralized networks. In simple terms, blockchain functions as a digital ledger that records transactions in a way that is tamper-proof and transparent. Applied to elections, this means every vote can be securely recorded, time-stamped, and verified by both the voter and third-party observers, without the possibility of it being altered or erased. Unlike centralized systems, which are vulnerable to hacking and internal manipulation, a blockchain-based voting system ensures that once a vote is cast, it is locked in a digital chain that cannot be broken or edited.

Globally, several countries have already started to explore and adopt blockchain technology in elections, offering valuable insights and early proof points.

In 2018, Sierra Leone conducted a pilot of blockchain voting during its presidential elections. The goal was to boost transparency and eliminate voter fraud — a significant step for a nation trying to recover from years of political instability. The United States has also experimented with blockchain voting, particularly in West Virginia and Utah, where the technology was used to enable overseas military personnel to vote securely via mobile devices. Thailand’s Democrat Party utilized blockchain in its internal primaries, allowing over 120,000 votes to be recorded securely and auditable. Estonia, often cited as a global leader in digital governance, has incorporated blockchain into its online voting system for national elections, demonstrating that secure, remote, and transparent voting is indeed possible at scale.

These global examples show that blockchain isn’t just a theoretical solution. It is a real-world technology that, when implemented properly, can help solve persistent problems in electoral processes — particularly in countries like the Philippines where issues such as vote-buying, ballot-box switching, and electoral fraud are unfortunately still part of our political reality.

In the Philippine context, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has already expressed interest in the possible integration of blockchain technology into our automated election system. Preliminary discussions have considered how blockchain can be layered into existing processes to enhance transparency and auditability. This is a positive sign, but a lot more needs to be done to move from interest to implementation.

One major advantage of blockchain in elections is transparency. Every vote cast can be verified and audited without compromising voter anonymity. This would significantly reduce allegations of fraud and boost public trust in the process. Security is another crucial benefit. Because blockchain is decentralized, it becomes nearly impossible for any single entity to manipulate results. This would protect against both external cyberattacks and internal tampering. Moreover, blockchain voting systems could offer increased accessibility. Remote and digital voting would allow Filipinos working or living abroad, particularly our OFWs, to cast their ballots without the logistical challenges of traditional absentee voting.

However, adopting blockchain voting is not without its challenges. Digital literacy remains a concern in many parts of the country. To ensure inclusivity, voters must be educated on how the technology works and how to use it. Comprehensive digital literacy programs must accompany any rollout to avoid marginalizing voters who are less technologically savvy. Another challenge is infrastructure. A reliable and secure internet connection is essential for any blockchain-based system to function. The government must invest in nationwide digital infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, to ensure equal access. Then there is the need for a strong regulatory framework. Laws must be enacted to define the governance, accountability, and legality of blockchain voting. Clear policies must ensure data privacy and prevent misuse of voter information.

To make blockchain-based elections a reality in the Philippines, a phased and collaborative approach is essential. Initial pilot programs can be launched in controlled environments, such as student council elections in universities or in barangay-level polls. These pilots will help test the technology in real-world conditions and allow developers to address any technical or user-related issues.

Simultaneously, stakeholder engagement is critical. Government agencies, technology providers, civil society organizations, and academic institutions must work together to co-create systems that meet the unique cultural and operational requirements of the Philippines. Public education campaigns will also be needed to build awareness and trust. These should explain how blockchain works, why it matters for elections, and how ordinary citizens can benefit from it.

The infrastructure challenge, though formidable, is not insurmountable. With the Philippines’ rapid digital transformation and growing fintech sector, there is already momentum for technological upgrades. Investments in internet connectivity, cybersecurity, and cloud computing will serve both the election system and the broader digital economy. Alongside these efforts, a regulatory and legal framework must be developed. Comelec, in collaboration with Congress and legal experts, should work toward creating guidelines and laws that define the use of blockchain for voting, ensure transparency, protect voter rights, and lay out the protocols for audits and dispute resolution.

As we near the next midterm elections, it is unlikely that blockchain will be implemented in time to transform this cycle. However, what we can do now is begin the process. Start the pilots. Create the legal framework. Begin national discussions. Raise public awareness. Build the infrastructure. Doing so now will not only prepare us for future elections but also position the Philippines as a pioneer of transparent and secure democratic processes in Southeast Asia.

The way we vote reflects the health of our democracy. If we want to eliminate the shadow of doubt that clouds every election result, we must modernize how we secure our ballots. Blockchain offers us that chance — a technological lifeline to restore integrity, rebuild trust, and reimagine the way we conduct our most sacred democratic exercise.

Let us not wait for the next controversy or electoral crisis to act. The time to future-proof our elections is now. Blockchain may not be a silver bullet, but it is the strongest tool we currently have to ensure that every Filipino vote counts — and that it is counted with honesty, accuracy, and full transparency.

On June 10 and 11, our country will be hosting the Philippine Blockchain Week at the SMX in Pasay. We can expect discussions on blockchain uses for our country with speakers from around the world, while the Blockchain Council of the Philippines will be releasing its first country Philippine Blockchain Report. Do join us there.

Dr. Donald Lim is the founding president of the Global AI Council Philippines and the Blockchain Council of the Philippines, and the founding chair of the Cybersecurity Council, whose mission is to advocate the right use of emerging technologies to propel business organizations forward. He is currently the president and COO of DITO CME Holdings Corp.