Chris Wilson has just completed a long term election observer assignment in Bangladesh. In the adjacent columns are pictures of locals testing PenVote's digital pen. They were very receptive of the idea of using digital pen voting.

This prompted us to wonder---how does almost a third of the world’s population vote?

Country       Estimated 2008 Population

Pakistan          173,000,000

India            1,150,000,000

Bangladesh      153,000,000

Malaysia            25.000.000

Thailand            61,000,000

Singapore            4,600,000

Indonesia         238,000,000

Total about    1,900,000,000

With the exception of India these nations use paper and a marker or a stamp. India uses a two-piece mechanical device made almost 20 years ago. It has limitations on the number of voters who can use it and the number of candidates that can be listed. PenVote has no such restrictions.

A Latin American country is currently evaluating various electronic systems including PenVote’s digital pen system using Anoto dot-enabled paper. A national newspaper in that country has reported that the “Electronic Pen and Paper” ( PenVote's Digital Pen System) appears to be the preferred choice.

The reason given is that it is very close to the same paper and marker system they use now, thus reducing voter anxiety over using a new electronic system. It also requires less training for precinct workers. Multiple technologies record the votes with dual chain of custody. Virtually instantaneous preliminary results transmitted to regional centers are possible as well.