Vulnerability Management

Dutch revert to an all-paper ballot, fearing election hack

Concerns over a possible election hack by a nation-state actor, the Dutch government will turn to pen and paper and not use a computer to tally the ballots in its national election next month.

The Dutch are basing their concern on intelligence reports that indicate Russian or other fringe groups may attempt to influence the March 15 vote, USA Today reported.

Dutch voters already use paper ballots that are hand-counted locally, but normally they are then brought to another office where a computer is used to create the final tally.

“No shadow of a doubt can be allowed to hang over the result," said Dutch Interior Minister Ronald Plasterk, according to USA Today, adding the move was prompted by fears over computer software "vulnerabilities."

The Netherlands joins a growing list of democracies, including France and South Korea, that are worried over outside forces meddling in upcoming elections.

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