FACTORS AFFECTING THE ACCEPTANCE OF ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEMS: A CASE STUDY OF THE E-BALLOT SYSTEM AT THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA (AUN)

ABSTRACT

Using electronic voting systems is divisive as some countries used such systems and others did not. This thesis discusses countries that have accepted voting electronically and the challenges faced. This study suggests factors that have led to the acceptance of electronic voting systems to tackle some of the challenges faced in electoral processes. Survey questions in the form of a questionnaire was responded to by 227 undergraduates’ students in American University of Nigeria (AUN). The study was built on Structural equation modelling with the integration of literature from technology acceptance theory (TAM), theory of reasoned action (TRA) and theory of planned behavior (TPB) to come up with a framework TAM 2. Hypothesis were drawn and data was gathered and analyzed using the Smart PLS software. The study shows the advantages, compatibility and intension of AUN voters to accept the eBallot system. The study goes ahead to show other motives behind the intention to accept an e-voting system. However, voting is limited to registered undergraduate students hence, the sample size is not generalized in the findings. This research argues that more research should be carried out on Nigerians in diaspora with the infrastructure to participate in their right to vote using an e-voting system. The results showed perceived ease of use (PEU) to have the highest impact and subjective norm (SN) to have the least impact on the acceptance of the eBallot system.