DIGITAL VOTING SYSTEM

A Project Report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the

digital assignment of

DIGITAL SYSTEMS AND DESIGN

IN
Electronics and Communication Engineering

By

Kuhu Chandna (24BAI1472)

Keya Pala(24BPS1039)
Nirvik Goswami(24BRS1315)

School of Electronics Engineering,

Vellore Institute of Technology,
Chennai Vandalur- Kelambakkam Road,
Chennai - 600127, India.

April 2025

1
CONTENTS

Declaration.....................................................................................................................................................1

Abstract.........................................................................................................................................................2

Acknowledgements.......................................................................................................................................3

List of Figures...............................................................................................................................................4

1. Introduction................................................................................................................................................4

1.1. Overview of the Voting System.........................................................................................................4

1.2. Motivation and Objectives.................................................................................................................4

1.3. Scope of the Project...........................................................................................................................4

1.4. Organization of the Report ................................................................................................................5

2. Literature Survey........................................................................................................................................6

2.1. Existing Electronic Voting Systems...................................................................................................6

2.2. Button-Based Voting Interfaces.........................................................................................................6

2.3. Display and Feedback Technologies..................................................................................................7

2.4. Embedded Control using Arduino...................................................................................................7

2.5. Challenges in Low-Level Voting Prototypes……………………………………………………...7

3. Methodology ................................................................................................................................................8

3.1. System Architecture ........................................................................................................................... 8

3.2. Hardware Components Used .............................................................................................................. 8

3.2.1. Push Buttons................................................................................................................................8

3.2.2. LCD Display................................................................................................................................8

3.2.3. Microcontroller – Arduino UNO..................................................................................................8

3.3. Software Components ........................................................................................................................ 9

3.4. Working Principle ...............................................................................................................................9

3.5. Workflow Description......................................................................................................................... 9

4. Implementation............................................................................................................................................. 10

4.1. Circuit Design.......................................................................................................................................10

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 4.2. Component Wiring and Placement.......................................................................................................10

4.3. Logic Flow for Entry and Result Handling........................................................................................11

5. Construction and Working .........................................................................................................................12

5.1. Step-by-Step Construction..................................................................................................................12

5.2. Working Summary..............................................................................................................................13

5.3. Flow Chart……...................................................................................................................................13

5.4. Circuit Diagram……………................................................................................................................15

5.5. Truth Table…………………………......................................................................................................15

5.6 Pin Diagram……………………………………………………………………………………......……..15

6. Code Base .................................................................................................................................................16

6.1. Main Control Logic (Arduino Code) .......................................................................................................16

6.2. Sensor Integration Code ........................................................................................................................... 17

6.3. LCD Display Update Logic.......................................................................................................................17

7. Results and Observations .............................................................................................................................18

7.1 System Performance and Accuracy ................................................................................................... 18

7.2 Output Screenshots...................................................................................................................................... 18

8. Conclusion and Future Scope...................................................................................................................... 19

9. Bibliography................................................................................................................................................20

3
DECLARATION

We hereby declare that the report titled Digital Voting System submitted by us to the School of
Electronics Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai in partial fulfilment of the
requirements for the award of Digital Assignment of Digital System Design in Electronics and
Communication Engineering is a bona-fide record of the work carried out by us under the supervision
of Prof. Girja Shankar Sahu. We further declare that the work reported in this report, has not been
submitted and will not be submitted, either in part or in full, for the award of any other degree or
diploma of this institute or of any other institute or University.

Sign:

Name:

Reg. No.:

Sign:

Name:

Reg. No.:

Sign:

Name:

Reg. No.:

DATE- 16/04/2025

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ABSTRACT

Electronic voting systems have emerged as a reliable alternative to traditional paper-based

voting, offering benefits such as reduced human error, faster result processing, and enhanced
transparency. In recent years, microcontroller-based designs have gained traction for use in
small-scale and educational environments due to their low cost, ease of development, and
flexibility. These systems typically employ basic input/output peripherals to simulate real-
world electronic voting behaviour while enabling hands-on learning of embedded systems.
This report presents the design and implementation of a digital voting system using an
Arduino UNO, a 16x2 alphanumeric LCD, and five momentary push buttons. The system
architecture employs debounced digital input handling and conditional logic to ensure
accurate voter registration and real-time result computation. Programmed using the Arduino
IDE, the design emphasizes modularity, low power consumption, and cost-effectiveness,
making it suitable for controlled environments such as academic simulations or low-scale
polling setups. The project demonstrates practical integration of embedded hardware and
software components to achieve a reliable, user-friendly electronic voting mechanism.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our project guide, Mr. Girja Shankar,
Assistant Professor, School of Electronics Engineering, VIT Chennai, for his continuous
support, insightful suggestions, and patient guidance throughout the development of our
project. His encouragement and expertise have been instrumental in shaping the outcome of
our work.

We extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Ravi Sankar A, Dean, Dr. Reena Monica, Associate
Dean (Academics), and Dr. John Sahaya Rani Alex, Associate Dean (Research), School of
Electronics Engineering, VIT Chennai, for providing with the necessary infrastructure and
academic environment that enabled us to carry out this project smoothly.

We are also thankful to Dr. Mohanaprasad K, Head of the Department, for his
encouragement and support at every stage of the project.

Our sincere thanks to all the faculty members of School of Electronics Engineering for their
valuable teaching and consistent encouragement throughout our academic journey. Finally,
we would like to acknowledge the unwavering support of our parents, family, and friends,
who have stood by us throughout this journey and motivated us to pursue excellence at every
step.

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CHAPTER 1

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Overview of the Voting System

Voting is the cornerstone of democratic processes. Traditional paper-based systems, while

reliable, are often time-consuming, prone to human error, and lack transparency. With the
advancement in microcontroller platforms like Arduino, digital voting systems have emerged
as an efficient and economical alternative for small-scale polling setups. Digital voting
eliminates manual vote counting, provides instant results, and ensures better transparency
through automation and real-time display.

1.2 Motivation and Objectives

This project was driven by the need to create a compact, user-friendly, and error-free voting
mechanism that could be applied in settings such as school or college elections, mock polls,
or even community events.

Key motivations:
 To reduce errors associated with manual vote counting.
 To demonstrate real-time digital voting using a microcontroller.
 To promote hands-on learning of embedded systems and digital design.
 To implement a system with vote verification and simple user interaction.

Project objectives include:

 Designing a voting circuit with multiple party inputs.
 Using Arduino to manage inputs, count votes, and control output.
 Displaying votes and results using an LCD.
 Implementing a dual-function button for result display and reset.

1.3 Scope of the Project

This voting system is designed for controlled environments with limited participants. It is not
intended for large-scale public elections but serves as an excellent educational tool to
understand the principles of:
 Digital input handling using push buttons.
 Output display interfacing with LCD.
 Conditional logic implementation in embedded C.
 Debounce and double-click detection using timing functions.

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The design can be expanded with additional features such as RFID verification, wireless
modules, or database integration for larger and more secure setups.

1.4 Organization of the Report

The report is structured as follows:

 Chapter 2: Reviews literature on existing electronic voting systems and related

technologies.
 Chapter 3: Describes the methodology, including system architecture, components,
and working principles.
 Chapter 4: Covers the detailed implementation of hardware and software integration.
 Chapter 5: Explains the construction process, working flow, circuit diagrams, and
logic.
 Chapter 6: Presents the code base used for system functionality.
 Chapter 7: Discusses results, observations, and screenshots.
 Chapter 8: Concludes the project with possible future enhancements.
 Chapter 9: Lists references used during research and development.

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9
CHAPTER 2

2. LITERATURE SURVEY
The evolution of electronic voting systems has been fueled by the need for secure, efficient,
and error-free polling methods. Various technologies and architectures have been proposed
and implemented over the years, ranging from simple button-based systems to biometric and
internet-enabled solutions. This chapter presents a survey of existing methods and
technologies relevant to the design of a digital voting system using Arduino.

2.1 Existing Electronic Voting Systems

Traditional electronic voting machines (EVMs) used in many regions utilize dedicated
hardware designed for security and scale. However, for educational and prototype purposes,
simplified systems using microcontrollers are gaining popularity.

Key observations:
 Early microcontroller-based voting systems used manual switches and 7-segment
displays.
 Recent academic projects have adopted Arduino and Raspberry Pi for greater
flexibility and ease of programming.
 LCD displays have largely replaced older LED systems due to their readability and
I2C compatibility.

2.2 Button-Based Voting Interfaces

Push-button interfaces are common in small-scale voting setups due to their simplicity and
reliability. Each button corresponds to a candidate or party, and pressing the button triggers a
vote count in the microcontroller.

Advantages:
 Easy to implement and test.
 Low cost and low power requirements.
 Reliable under controlled environments.

Limitations:
 Vulnerable to multiple votes by the same person unless further authentication is
integrated.
 Limited scalability.

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2.3 Display and Feedback Technologies
Providing real-time feedback to users is crucial for system transparency. LCD displays
(especially I2C-based 16x2 LCDs) are widely used for this purpose.

Literature trends:
 Use of LCDs over 7-segment displays for enhanced readability.
 I2C protocol reduces pin usage on the microcontroller.
 Some systems integrate audio feedback or LED indicators for confirmation of vote
submission.

2.4 Embedded Control using Arduino

Arduino has become a preferred platform for educational voting systems due to its open-
source nature, large community support, and ease of interfacing with sensors and displays.

Advantages of Arduino-based systems:

 Programmable logic for vote counting, result display, and reset.
 Support for external modules like RFID, GSM, or Wi-Fi (for future scalability).
 Cost-effective and customizable.

2.5 Challenges in Low-Level Voting Prototypes

While microcontroller-based systems are practical for learning, they face several challenges:

 Security: Lack of encryption or authentication can lead to vote tampering.

 Scalability: Suitable only for small populations.
 User identification: No built-in mechanism to verify voter identity.

Despite these limitations, such systems serve as a vital foundation for understanding how
electronic voting infrastructure can be designed, tested, and improved.

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CHAPTER 3

3. METHODOLOGY
This chapter outlines the systematic approach adopted in designing and developing the
Arduino-based digital voting system. The methodology focuses on the integration of
hardware components with software logic to achieve accurate vote counting, result display,
and reset functionalities using a simple user interface.

3.1 System Architecture

The system consists of five push buttons: four for voting (each representing a party or
candidate) and a fifth multifunctional button used for displaying the result (single click) and
resetting the votes (double click). The LCD is used to provide real-time feedback and display
the voting results.
The architecture includes:
 Arduino UNO as the central controller.
 Four push buttons mapped to individual vote counters.
 One result/reset button for dual functionality.
 16x2 I2C LCD display for output and feedback.
 Internal software logic to handle inputs and display results based on vote counts.

3.2 Hardware Components Used

3.2.1 Push Buttons
 Each of the four buttons is associated with a candidate (A, B, C, D).
 The fifth button performs two tasks: displays the result on a single press and resets the
system on a quick double press.
3.2.2 LCD Display (16x2 I2C)
 Used to show live vote counts.
 Displays messages such as vote confirmation, result announcements, or "votes reset".
3.2.3 Microcontroller – Arduino UNO
 Acts as the brain of the system.
 Handles button inputs, vote counting logic, time-based double click detection, and
result calculation.

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3.3 Software Components
The software is written in Embedded C using the Arduino IDE. The logic handles input from
buttons, controls output to the LCD, and manages time-sensitive tasks like detecting a
double-click for the reset operation.
Core software functionalities:
 Vote tracking using global counters.
 Double-click detection using millis() function and timing logic.
 Reset function that clears all vote data.
 Real-time display updates after every input.

3.4 Working Principle

1. Voters press a button corresponding to their preferred party.
2. The Arduino reads the input, increments the corresponding vote counter, and updates
the LCD.
3. Once voting is complete (minimum 5 votes required), pressing the result button once
will calculate and display the winner or indicate a tie.
4. If the result button is pressed twice in quick succession (within 400 ms), all votes are
reset to zero and the system restarts.

3.5 Workflow Description

Below is the logical workflow of the system:
 Voter interaction → Button press → Vote counter increment → LCD update
 Result button press (once) → Winner calculated → Display result
 Result button press (twice) → Vote counters reset → Display cleared and reset
message shown
This methodology ensures simplicity, transparency, and hands-on experience with digital
system design principles.

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CHAPTER 4

4. IMPLEMENTATION
The implementation phase involves translating the proposed methodology into a functional
prototype using appropriate hardware connections and embedded code. This chapter explains
the physical setup, component integration, and software deployment needed to achieve the
desired functionality of the voting system.

4.1 Circuit Design

The entire system is built around the Arduino UNO, with all voting inputs and outputs
connected directly or via I2C.
Key circuit features:
 Digital Pins 2–5 are used to connect the four voting buttons (A–D).
 Digital Pin 6 is connected to the multifunctional result/reset button.
 The I2C LCD is connected via the SDA (A4) and SCL (A5) lines.
 The system is powered through USB or a regulated 9V power supply.

4.2 Component Wiring and Placement

Efficient component placement ensures smooth functioning and user-friendly operation.
Wiring considerations:
 All buttons act as internal pull-up resistors by setting them to INPUT.
 Each button is debounced in code using a delay.
 The LCD’s I2C adapter reduces wiring complexity by using only two wires for data
communication.
 Components are mounted on a breadboard for prototyping, with options to shift to a
PCB for long-term use.

4.3 Logic Flow for Entry and Result Handling

Voting Phase:
 When any of the vote buttons is pressed, the corresponding candidate’s vote counter is
incremented.
 The LCD display updates to reflect the new vote counts.

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Result and Reset Phase:
 A single press of the result button displays the winner (or indicates a tie).
 A double press within a short time span (400 ms) resets all votes and reinitializes the
display.

This implementation bridges the design concept and working prototype, establishing a
foundation for testing and deployment. The next chapter will walk through the construction
and detailed working of this system.

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CHAPTER 5

5. CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING

This chapter explains the physical building process, working flow, and technical behavior of
the digital voting system, including diagrams and logic tables that support the system’s
functionality. The design emphasizes simplicity, accuracy, and ease of understanding for
users.

5.1 Step-by-Step Construction

The voting system was constructed on a breadboard with modular components. Below are the
construction steps:
1. Mount the Arduino UNO onto the breadboard or project board.
2. Connect 4 push buttons to digital pins 2, 3, 4, and 5 respectively. These represent
candidates A, B, C, and D.
3. Connect the 5th button to digital pin 6 for the result/reset function.
4. Wire the I2C LCD display to the SDA (A4) and SCL (A5) pins.
5. Power the system through the USB cable or external power supply.
6. Upload the Arduino code using the Arduino IDE.
7. Test the setup by pressing each button and observing real-time updates on the LCD.

5.2 Working Summary

This voting system operates by recording a vote each time a voter presses the corresponding
button, with the selection being confirmed immediately on an LCD display. Once a minimum
threshold of five votes has been registered, the election results can be revealed. A single press
of the designated result button will then display the outcome, indicating either the winning
candidate or a tie situation. Additionally, the system incorporates a reset function; performing
a double press of the result button within a short 400-millisecond window will clear all
recorded votes and reset the entire system to its initial state.
This approach ensures a secure and tamper-proof method of collecting and displaying digital
votes using basic hardware.

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5.3 Flow Chart

17
5.4 Circuit Diagram
The circuit consists of:
 Arduino UNO R3
 5 Push Buttons
 I2C LCD (16x2)

18
5.5 Truth Table

5.6 Pin Diagram

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CHAPTER-6

6. CODE BASE
The digital voting system is driven by an embedded Arduino code that handles input
detection, vote counting, LCD output, result logic, and reset functionality. This chapter
provides an organized breakdown of the core code segments used to operate the system.

The code is as follows:

#include <Wire.h>
#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h>

LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 16, 2);

const int BUTTON_A = 2;

const int BUTTON_B = 3;
const int BUTTON_C = 4;
const int BUTTON_D = 5;
const int BUTTON_RESULT = 6;

int votesA = 0, votesB = 0, votesC = 0, votesD = 0;

int totalVotes = 0;

unsigned long lastClickTime = 0;

const unsigned long doubleClickThreshold = 400;
bool waitingForSecondClick = false;

void setup() {
lcd.init();
lcd.backlight();

pinMode(BUTTON_A, INPUT_PULLUP);
pinMode(BUTTON_B, INPUT_PULLUP);
pinMode(BUTTON_C, INPUT_PULLUP);
pinMode(BUTTON_D, INPUT_PULLUP);
pinMode(BUTTON_RESULT, INPUT_PULLUP);

lcd.print("Voting System");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Min 5 Votes Needed");
delay(2000);

20
 updateDisplay();
}

void loop() {
checkButton(BUTTON_A, votesA);
checkButton(BUTTON_B, votesB);
checkButton(BUTTON_C, votesC);
checkButton(BUTTON_D, votesD);

handleResultButton();
}

void checkButton(int buttonPin, int &votes) {

if (digitalRead(buttonPin) == LOW) {
votes++;
totalVotes++;
updateDisplay();
delay(200);
}
}

void handleResultButton() {
static bool buttonWasPressed = false;

if (digitalRead(BUTTON_RESULT) == LOW) {
if (!buttonWasPressed) {
buttonWasPressed = true;
unsigned long now = millis();

if (waitingForSecondClick && (now - lastClickTime <=

doubleClickThreshold)) {

resetVotes();
waitingForSecondClick = false;
} else {

waitingForSecondClick = true;
lastClickTime = now;
}
}
} else {
if (buttonWasPressed) {
buttonWasPressed = false;
}

if (waitingForSecondClick && (millis() - lastClickTime >

doubleClickThreshold)) {

21
 waitingForSecondClick = false;
if (totalVotes >= 5) {
calculateResult();
} else {
lcd.clear();
lcd.print("Need ");
lcd.print(5 - totalVotes);
lcd.print(" more votes");
delay(2000);
updateDisplay();
}
}
}
}

void updateDisplay() {
lcd.clear();
lcd.print("A:");
lcd.print(votesA);
lcd.print(" B:");
lcd.print(votesB);

lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("C:");
lcd.print(votesC);
lcd.print(" D:");
lcd.print(votesD);
}

void calculateResult() {
lcd.clear();

int maxVotes = max(max(votesA, votesB), max(votesC,

votesD));
String winners = "";

if (votesA == maxVotes) winners += "A ";

if (votesB == maxVotes) winners += "B ";
if (votesC == maxVotes) winners += "C ";
if (votesD == maxVotes) winners += "D ";

if (winners.length() > 2) {
lcd.print("Tie Between:");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(winners);
} else {
lcd.print("Winner: ");

22
 lcd.print(winners);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Votes: ");
lcd.print(maxVotes);
}

delay(5000);
updateDisplay();
}

void resetVotes() {
votesA = votesB = votesC = votesD = totalVotes = 0;
lcd.clear();
lcd.print("Votes Reset");
delay(2000);
updateDisplay();
}

6.1 Main Control Logic (Arduino Code)

The program begins by initializing the LCD and configuring the input pins for the push
buttons to avoid floating signals. It also includes logic for vote counting, result display, and
system reset.

Highlights of the main logic:

 Initialization of the LCD (I2C protocol).
 Monitoring of voting buttons A, B, C, and D.
 Handling the result button with both single press (show result) and double press
(reset).
 Displaying real-time vote count.
 Minimum vote threshold (5) before allowing result display.

6.2 Sensor Integration Code (Push Buttons)

Each voting push button is linked to a corresponding vote counter variable. When a button is
pressed (logic LOW), the counter increments, and the LCD updates accordingly. This ensures
the system accurately records each voter’s input while debouncing button signals.

6.3 LCD Display Update Logic

The LCD shows current vote status after every valid input.

This structured and modular code ensures the system is both scalable and maintainable. In the
following chapter, we will evaluate the system’s performance and discuss observations during
testing.

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CHAPTER-7

7. RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS

After constructing the prototype and uploading the Arduino code, the voting system was
rigorously tested under various scenarios to validate its functionality. The tests covered vote
registration, LCD output, result display accuracy, and the reset mechanism using a double-
click.

7.1 System Performance and Accuracy

The system demonstrated high reliability and responsive behavior in real-time operations.
The results of the testing phase are summarized below:
 Accurate Vote Counting: Every press of the voting buttons (A–D) was accurately
counted and reflected instantly on the LCD.
 LCD Responsiveness: The LCD successfully updated all candidate counts with every
input and displayed result information clearly.
 Minimum Vote Threshold: The system enforced a strict minimum of 5 total votes
before showing the result, preventing premature access.
 Double-Click Reset: The reset function activated reliably with two button presses
within 400 milliseconds, clearing all vote counts.
 Debounce Delay: A minor delay of 200 ms was added to avoid false readings due to
button bouncing, which worked effectively.

This chapter confirms that the voting system performs reliably under all expected scenarios.
It is user-friendly, responsive, and effective for demonstrating digital voting concepts.

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7.2 Output Screenshots

25
CHAPTER 8

8. CONCLUSION AND FUTURE SCOPE

Conclusion
The implementation of this Arduino-based digital voting system successfully demonstrates a
simple, efficient, and low-cost solution for electronic voting applications. The project
showcases how embedded systems can be applied to solve real-world problems such as
secure and transparent voting processes.
Key achievements of the system include:
 Accurate and real-time vote tracking using push buttons.
 Clear and immediate LCD feedback.
 Implementation of a result display mechanism.
 A double-click reset feature for efficient session management.
 Enforcement of a minimum vote threshold before result declaration.
Overall, the project met its objectives by offering a user-friendly interface, reliable operation,
and logical control flow—all on an affordable microcontroller platform.

Future Scope
To enhance the functionality and real-world applicability of the system, several
improvements can be considered in future versions:
 Voter Authentication: Integration of RFID or biometric verification modules to
ensure only authorized users can vote.
 Connectivity: Use of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth modules to enable real-time result
transmission to a central server or dashboard.
 Data Logging: Incorporating SD card or cloud-based storage for maintaining voting
records securely.
 AI for Fraud Detection: Use of basic AI models to detect and flag suspicious voting
patterns.
 Servo-Driven Booth Gate: Automating access control to the voting terminal using a
servo motor upon successful vote casting.
 Touchscreen Interface: Replacing push buttons with a touch display for enhanced
user interaction and compact design.
These upgrades would not only modernize the system but also make it suitable for
deployment in institutional elections, polling simulations, and educational environments for
demonstrating secure voting mechanisms.

26
CHAPTER-9
9. BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. M. Banzi and M. Shiloh, Getting Started with Arduino, 3rd ed., Maker Media, 2014.
2. S. Monk, Programming Arduino: Getting Started with Sketches, 2nd ed., McGraw-Hill
Education, 2016.
3. R. Rajesh and S. Srinivasan, “Microcontroller-based Electronic Voting Machine,”
International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications, vol. 4, no. 6, pp. 39–
43, Jun. 2014.
4. P. Bhavsar, K. Patel, and R. Prajapati, “Secure and Transparent Electronic Voting
Machine Using Arduino,” International Journal of Computer Applications, vol. 162,
no. 5, pp. 1–4, Mar. 2017.
5. T. S. Lim, S. C. Sim, and M. M. Mansor, “RFID Based Attendance System,” 2009
IEEE Symposium on Industrial Electronics and Applications, Kuala Lumpur, 2009, pp.
778–782.
6. A. Kumar and S. Gupta, “An Efficient IoT-Based Smart Voting System,” International
Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, vol. 10, no. 5, pp. 1005–1009, May
2019.

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