Using the E-voting Platform to Promote Political Participation of Students in Student Leadership Elections in Higher Education Institutions at the Higher Education Level

Abstract

This study aims to propose guidelines for promoting political participation among students in higher education through student leader elections by applying an e-voting platform, using Clift’s (2003) “Digital Democracy Enhancement Model” framework, which consists of three main issues: technology and infrastructure, access and equity, and governance and policy. This research is based on the analysis of documents and case studies both domestically and internationally, especially the case of Thailand, which uses Blockchain technology for voting within political parties and efforts to develop an e-voting system for universities.

The study suggests that effective e-voting platforms should have security infrastructure such as end-to-end encryption and multi-layer authentication, as well as mobile usability to increase equal access for all groups of students, especially those with disabilities or those lacking digital resources. In addition, there must be a management system with continuous policy support mechanisms, such as budget, personnel training, and evaluation, to build trust in the election system in the long run. Therefore, the development of e-voting platforms under the concept of digital democracy is not just about using technology for elections, but also about laying the foundation to create digital citizens who have the knowledge, understanding, and ability to participate effectively in politics in Thai society and the modern world.