The committee met to examine the possible introduction of electronic voting. The CTIE's proposal would offer it as an alternative to postal voting, with the aim of reducing invalid or incorrectly completed ballots and making voting simpler and more accessible, said CTIE spokesperson Nico Majerus.
Under the recommendations, voters would choose in advance whether to vote online, by post or in person at a polling station. Once a choice is made, they could not switch methods midway through the process.
The CTIE stressed the need for a centralised, transparent system, arguing that it would be easier to manage, allow rigorous security procedures and remain auditable. Centralisation would also spare each municipality from building its own digital voting infrastructure, which could be particularly challenging for local elections.
The CTIE said comprehensive testing and independent security audits would be essential before any system is introduced. Several lawmakers welcomed this, including Taina Bofferding of the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP). She stressed the importance of starting tests early to identify flaws, address technical challenges and help voters adapt, and argued for ongoing governance to oversee the system's security and operation.
Questions remain about transparency and trust, however. Alex Donnersbach of the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) asked how recounts or verification would work in the event of doubts or cyberattacks, and whether it would be technically feasible to recount or audit electronic votes if the system's integrity were challenged.
Fred Keup of the Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR) said he could not see himself backing electronic voting in its current form. He also pointed to likely public scepticism, citing perceived risks and concerns about trust.
The debate will continue with a dedicated discussion in the responsible Chamber committee on Friday, 30 November. Prime Minister Luc Frieden is expected to attend.
