The escalating conflict between Giuseppe Conte and Beppe Grillo, the co-founder of the Five Star Movement (M5S), continues to dominate headlines across Italian media. The disagreement, which has far-reaching implications for the party's leadership and identity, seems far from resolution.
During the Constituent Assembly held on November 23-24, 2024, M5S members voted to abolish the role of "guarantor," a symbolic and operational position held by Grillo since the party's inception. This decision has sparked significant controversy within the party.
Grillo has challenged the validity of the vote, demanding a new online consultation to confirm the will of the membership. Giuseppe Conte, the current leader of the M5S, has decided to address the dispute by organizing another vote, scheduled for December 5-8, 2024, in an effort to resolve the issue internally and avoid a protracted legal battle.
How Does the M5S Voting System Work?
The Five Star Movement’s internal voting system operates through SkyVote, a digital platform adopted in 2021 after parting ways with the Rousseau Association, which was founded by Davide Casaleggio and previously managed the movement’s voting processes.
SkyVote, managed by Multicast S.r.l., was introduced to enhance the independence and security of M5S decision-making. However, like any digital voting system, SkyVote has faced criticism over concerns about transparency and centralization.
Given these recurring issues, the question arises: could blockchain technology offer a better solution for secure and transparent voting in the Five Star Movement?
Blockchain Technology: A Viable Solution for Political Elections?
The short answer is yes—blockchain technology can be utilized for elections, including internal votes within a political party, to ensure transparency, security, and verifiability.
Blockchain is particularly suited for this purpose because it provides an immutable and decentralized ledger where each vote is cryptographically secured, verifiable, and anonymous. This significantly reduces the risks of tampering or fraud.
How Blockchain Voting Works
Authentication:
Voters are authenticated through secure digital tools, such as blockchain-based digital identities, ensuring that only authorized members can cast a vote.Recording Votes:
Each vote is recorded as a transaction on a blockchain. Once cast, votes cannot be altered or deleted, guaranteeing integrity.Anonymity and Transparency:
Cryptographic mechanisms ensure voter anonymity while maintaining a transparent ledger that allows public verification of the vote count.Automated Tallying:
Results are calculated automatically, reducing human error and accelerating the counting process.
While blockchain voting may sound futuristic, it is already being tested and implemented in real-world scenarios.
Real-World Applications of Blockchain Voting
Political Parties:
The Pirate Party, a pioneer in using blockchain for internal elections, employs platforms like LiquidFeedback and other blockchain-based tools to promote transparency and democratic participation.Academic and Corporate Use:
Institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and organizations like Santander have experimented with blockchain for secure and transparent voting on smaller scales, demonstrating its feasibility.
These examples highlight blockchain's potential to revolutionize voting systems by ensuring accuracy, speed, and fairness.
Advantages and Challenges of Blockchain Voting
Advantages
- Transparency:
All participants can verify that votes are accurately recorded and counted. - Security:
Cryptographic safeguards and decentralization minimize the risk of fraud or tampering. - Efficiency:
Real-time tallying eliminates the need for manual counting, saving time and resources. - Cost Reduction:
Eliminates expenses related to printed ballots and logistical arrangements.
Challenges
- Accessibility:
Not everyone may have the tools or skills required to vote using blockchain. - Adoption Resistance:
Advanced technologies may face skepticism or resistance from traditionalists. - Complexity:
Implementing blockchain voting requires significant technical expertise and infrastructure.
Could Blockchain Appeal to Beppe Grillo?
Beppe Grillo, co-founder of the Five Star Movement, has long expressed interest in blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. In 2018, he stated that the rise of cryptocurrencies was linked not only to their innovative technologies but also to the new communities and philosophies they foster.
Grillo’s blog has featured articles explaining blockchain in accessible terms, including a playful piece titled "Blockchain Explained to My Grandmother", which emphasized trust in online transactions and the transformative potential of blockchain.
Given Grillo’s fascination with decentralization—often seen as a challenge to centralized authority—it is unsurprising that he appreciates blockchain’s anarchic ethos. Economically, blockchain reduces reliance on traditional intermediaries like banks, aligning with Grillo’s broader vision of a more equitable system.
Grillo has even explored using blockchain to implement universal basic income through token-based systems. Considering his enthusiasm for the technology, integrating blockchain into the Five Star Movement’s voting process could align with his ideals.
Why Not Use Blockchain for M5S Voting?
Introducing blockchain voting in the M5S could address longstanding concerns about transparency and centralization. By adopting a blockchain-based system, the movement could demonstrate its commitment to innovation and integrity, appealing to its base and setting a precedent for political organizations worldwide.
Blockchain could ensure that every member’s voice is heard in a secure, transparent, and efficient manner—perhaps resolving the ongoing conflict between Conte and Grillo with a solution that embodies the movement’s values of accountability and democratic participation.