Delivering transparent, secure and accurate election results

CGI’s electronic vote counting (eCounting) solution helps election administrators deliver timely, accurate and transparent results for complex and combined elections. It is designed to reduce operational risk, ease pressure on resources and maintain public confidence in the electoral process.

By combining secure technology with strong governance and end-to-end delivery, eCounting provides assurance, integrity and visibility throughout the count.

The challenge

Elections are becoming more complex and demanding to deliver. Administrators must manage increasing scale and variation while meeting expectations for speed, accuracy and transparency.

Common challenges include:

  • Increasing numbers and frequency of elections, including combined elections and different voting systems

  • Reduced availability of experienced staff to resource large counts

  • Growing volumes of postal ballots requiring additional manual intervention

  • Public demand for faster and more transparent results

  • Heightened physical and cyber security requirements

  • Potential for late changes due to external factors such as snap elections or public health events

Manual counting processes can be time-consuming and limit transparency, placing additional pressure on election teams.

Our approach

CGI provides a fully managed, end-to-end electronic counting service that supports the complete lifecycle of the count.

Our approach includes:

  • Programme and project management

  • Strong governance and assurance frameworks

  • Cyber security and risk management

  • Comprehensive testing and training

  • Clear communication and stakeholder engagement

This structured approach increases confidence in the accuracy, integrity and timeliness of election results while ensuring all stakeholders are prepared and supported.

Electronic counting workflow

CGI’s electronic counting workflow management system supports every stage of the count process, from preparation through to declaration.

Key capabilities include:

  • Secure, role-based access using smart cards and PINs

  • Optical scanning to digitise paper ballots while maintaining a full paper audit trail

  • Support for first-past-the-post, single transferable vote and proportional representation systems

  • Centralised results consolidation through a hub-based model

  • Real-time dashboards showing count progress and results at constituency, regional and national levels

This approach ensures transparency, security and consistency for Returning Officers, candidates and observers.

Proven delivery at scale

CGI’s electronic counting solution has been successfully delivered in large-scale, high-profile elections.

This includes the delivery of electronic vote counting for the London Mayoral and London Assembly elections, in partnership with the Greater London Authority (GLA). The programme processed millions of ballot papers within a compressed timeframe while maintaining high standards of security, transparency and assurance throughout the count.

The case study demonstrates how electronic counting can support complex elections at scale while maintaining public trust and confidence.

Benefits

Electronic vote counting delivers clear operational and assurance benefits, including:

  • A familiar voting experience for electors

  • Increased transparency, efficiency and integrity

  • Reduced manual handling and improved accuracy

  • Faster, more streamlined results

  • Appropriate levels of data visibility for stakeholders

  • Full compliance with electoral legislation

  • Secure election data supported by robust cyber security protocols

  • A complete and auditable paper trail

  

Learn how CGI’s electronic vote counting solution can support your next election: