Muhammad Naufal Sulaiman, Apol Pribadi Subriadi, Feby Artwodini Muqtadiroh

The Role of E-Participation in Building Public Trust and Readiness for E-Voting: A Systematic Review

Introduction

The role of e-participation in building public trust and readiness for e-voting: a systematic review. Systematic review explores e-participation's role in building public trust and readiness for e-voting. Online consultations and feedback loops are key for digital literacy & adoption.

Abstract

Digital Electronic voting (e-voting) success relies heavily on institutional trust and public readiness, yet existing literature predominantly emphasizes technical specifications over socio-political factors. This study addresses this gap by systematically synthesizing how e-participation mechanisms contribute to public trust and readiness for e-voting adoption. A systematic Literature review (SLR) following the PRISMA 2020 framework was conducted, analyzing 40 peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2020 and 2025 from reputable databases. The finding reveal that readiness is influenced by interrelated factors, primarily trust in e-voting systems (n=9), technology (n=7), and government (n=6), alongside digital literacy (n=6) and ICT access (n=5). Crucially, the analysis identifies that e-participation mechanisms specifically online consultations and feedback loops serve as foundational learning tools that foster the necessary social readiness and mitigate resistance toward new electoral technologies. The Study contributes a conceptual reframing of e-participation as a prerequisite mechanism for building digital trust, rather than just a democratic feature. These findings provide guidance for policymakers designing inclusive and trustworthy digital electoral systems.

Review

This systematic review addresses a highly pertinent and critical area concerning the successful implementation of e-voting systems, specifically focusing on the often-overlooked socio-political dimensions of public trust and readiness. The authors effectively identify a significant gap in the extant literature, which has traditionally prioritized technical specifications at the expense of understanding how human and institutional factors influence adoption. By leveraging a robust Systematic Literature Review (SLR) methodology, adhering to the PRISMA 2020 framework, and analyzing 40 recent articles, the study establishes a solid methodological foundation for its ambitious objective of synthesizing the contribution of e-participation to these crucial socio-political factors. The findings provide valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of public readiness for e-voting, delineating it as a construct influenced by various interrelated factors. The emphasis on trust in e-voting systems, technology, and government, alongside digital literacy and ICT access, provides a comprehensive overview of the prerequisites for successful adoption. Crucially, the abstract highlights the transformative role of e-participation mechanisms, such as online consultations and feedback loops, identifying them not merely as tools for democratic engagement but as foundational learning instruments that build social readiness and effectively mitigate resistance to new electoral technologies. The most significant contribution of this study lies in its conceptual reframing of e-participation, elevating its status from a mere democratic feature to a prerequisite mechanism for cultivating digital trust in the context of electoral systems. This conceptual shift offers a fresh perspective, moving beyond traditional understandings and highlighting e-participation's instrumental role in the foundational stages of e-voting adoption. The practical implications are equally substantial, as the findings promise to offer actionable guidance for policymakers tasked with designing inclusive, trustworthy, and ultimately successful digital electoral systems. This systematic review is poised to be an influential resource, enriching both academic discourse and practical policy development in the domain of e-governance and democratic innovation.

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