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Since 2023, POLYAS representatives have publicly advocated for the legalization of digital [[Works council|works council]] elections and the digitalization of [[Bundestag]] elections.<ref>{{cite web |title=POLYAS GmbH lobby register entry |url=https://www.lobbyregister.bundestag.de/suche/R006347 |website=Lobbyregister des Deutschen Bundestages |publisher=German Bundestag |language=de |access-date=2026-02-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Committee discussion on digital works council elections |url=https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2023/kw45-pa-arbeit-betriebsratsarbeit-975038 |website=Deutscher Bundestag |publisher=German Bundestag |language=de |access-date=2026-02-03}}</ref> |
Since 2023, POLYAS representatives have publicly advocated for the legalization of digital [[Works council|works council]] elections and the digitalization of [[Bundestag]] elections.<ref>{{cite web |title=POLYAS GmbH lobby register entry |url=https://www.lobbyregister.bundestag.de/suche/R006347 |website=Lobbyregister des Deutschen Bundestages |publisher=German Bundestag |language=de |access-date=2026-02-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Committee discussion on digital works council elections |url=https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2023/kw45-pa-arbeit-betriebsratsarbeit-975038 |website=Deutscher Bundestag |publisher=German Bundestag |language=de |access-date=2026-02-03}}</ref> |
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== Functionality == |
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The POLYAS platform allows election organizers to upload a register of eligible voters and distribute access credentials by post or email. The system can integrate with external authentication methods such as [[Lightweight Directory Access Protocol|LDAP]] and Single Sign-On (SSO).<ref>{{cite web |title=Partial verifiability in POLYAS for the GI elections |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262933768_Partial_verifiability_in_POLYAS_for_the_GI_elections |website=ResearchGate |publisher=ResearchGate GmbH |language=en |access-date=2026-02-03}}</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 10:50, 3 February 2026
POLYAS is a German software company specializing in electronic and online voting systems.[1] The company is headquartered in Kassel, Germany, and develops software used for elections by universities, associations, cooperatives, and political parties.[2]
History
The POLYAS software was originally developed in 1996 by Wolfgang Jung and Kai Reinhard. The first election using the system took place in Finland in 1996 during a youth election, involving approximately 30,000 participants voting in three languages.[3]
Until 2012, POLYAS operated as a project within the German IT company Micromata GmbH. In 2012, it was spun off as an independent entity, POLYAS GmbH.[4][5] Following its incorporation, the software saw increased adoption in German university elections.[6]
In 2016, the POLYAS voting system received certification from the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) under Common Criteria standards for use in non-political elections.[7]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of the software expanded to political parties for internal decision-making processes. In 2025, the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) utilized POLYAS for a membership vote regarding a federal coalition agreement.[8]
Since 2023, POLYAS representatives have publicly advocated for the legalization of digital works council elections and the digitalization of Bundestag elections.[9][10]
Functionality
The POLYAS platform allows election organizers to upload a register of eligible voters and distribute access credentials by post or email. The system can integrate with external authentication methods such as LDAP and Single Sign-On (SSO).[11]
