IACR 2008 Election

PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT – BYLAWS CHANGE

The IACR board is considering replacing the current mail-based voting system for the annual IACR elections and for the IACR referenda with an electronic voting system. This is motivated by the shortcomings of the current paper-based system (e.g., reliability issues and delays of conventional mail) and by the progress of research in electronic voting.

The IACR board will only adopt an electronic voting scheme after a detailed analysis that evaluates the integrity and privacy of the scheme and that includes its design, implementation and operation. This analysis will take into account inputs from external electronic voting experts and from any interested party. The IACR Board intends to only adopt an electronic voting scheme if it has an open design and implementation, if it offers an adequate security and privacy level and if it is sufficiently mature and stable.

The proposed modifications of Article VI, XV and XVIII of the Bylaws remove the restriction to organize elections and referenda by paper ballots only; the adoption of an electronic voting system is still subject to approval by the membership.

The IACR board has the responsibility to monitor and evaluate the proper functioning of the voting system for each election and to report to the membership.

A full copy of the Bylaws reflecting the proposed changes can be found online < http://www.iacr.org/elections/2008/ProposedBylaws.html. CANDIDATES’ STATEMENTS -- DIRECTORS Stuart Haber: I've been attending Crypto regularly for over 20 years and a member of the Board since 2004, and I'd welcome the opportunity to help keep the IACR going on an even keel and advance the interests of its members. In particular, I would like to help manage the IACR's effort to improve its voting system -- both its technical and political aspects -- and to help us to deal intelligently with questions surrounding electronic publication of our scientific writing. Home page: http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/Stuart_Haber/ Longer statement: http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/Stuart_Haber/iacr-bod-statement.htm Antoine Joux: I have been a regular member of IACR since 1990, a director since 2006 and have regularly contributed to IACR conferences. I would like to continue participating in the strategic direction of our community. I intend to make sure that researchers and students can easily attend conferences thus keeping IACR focused toward scientific excellence and worldwide recognition. Home page: http://www.prism.uvsq.fr/~joux Longer statement: http://www.prism.uvsq.fr/~joux/IACR_statement.htm Greg Rose: I have been an active member of the IACR for thirteen year, was general chair of Crypto 2003, and have materially supported student stipends for Crypto for a number of years. I feel that I can contribute to the running of IACR. Home page: http://seer-grog.net Longer statement: http://seer-grog.net Yvo Desmedt: IACR should continue to promote research, e.g., maintain the high visibility of its publications, encourage applications of the research, create local chapters (e.g., to can lobby funding agencies). Wherever you may live, I am listening to your input. Vote for me and if in doubt, please read my longer statement. Home page: http://www.cs.ucl.ac.uk/staff/Y.Desmedt Longer statement: http://www.cs.ucl.ac.uk/staff/Y.Desmedt/IACR/ David Naccache: As a director, I'll do my best to give a pragmatic helping hand whenever needed and sustain the IACR's development and scientific outreach. I commit to listen attentively to all member suggestions, attract the Board's attention to such suggestions and endeavor to resolve any matter raised by sufficiently many members. Home page: http://www.naccache.fr/research/ Josh Benaloh: I’m proud of my many contributions in 8 years on the IACR Board (see link), and now think it’s time to bring electronic elections to the IACR. Our current mail voting system is cumbersome and error-prone, and we can do much better. I have the expertise to push this forward. Home page: http://research.microsoft.com/crypto/benaloh Longer statement: http://research.microsoft.com/crypto/benaloh/IACR.htm