Comment by Tribunal Superior Eleitoral (TSE)

Implemented in Brazil in 1996 to provide more security and transparency to the electoral process, the electronic ballot box is the equipment used to collect voters’ votes in elections held in the country. Although it is electronic, the ballot box operates in an isolated way; that is, it has no mechanism that makes it possible to connect it to computer networks, such as the internet. The ballot box does not have the hardware necessary to connect to a network, nor does it have any form of wired or wireless connection. The operating system contained in the ballot box is prepared by the Electoral Justice so as not to include any software mechanism that allows connection to networks or remote access. In addition, the media used by the Electoral Justice to prepare the ballot box and record the results are protected by modern digital signature techniques. The security and isolation of the ballot boxes begin in their manufacturing process. The only cable it has is the power cable and, if necessary, it can remain powered only by battery for more than ten hours, for example, if there is a power outage. The ballot boxes also leave the factory without operation and, for them to start working, some procedures are required, such as verification of digital certification. Unverified source (2020)