Request for Information (RFI): Ballot Paper Scanning Technology Solution

### 🗳️ Overview The Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for a **Ballot Paper Scanning (BPS) technology solution**. This initiative aims to identify advanced technological tools to assist election officials with vote counting during Queensland’s local government elections. The ECQ is seeking insights from qualified suppliers to modernize and streamline the electoral process through automated scanning and data capture. ### 🛠️ Key Requirements & Scope The ECQ is looking to understand the current market maturity of BPS technology compared to existing or emergent systems. Key areas of interest include: * **Feasibility and Scalability:** Assessing how solutions can handle the volume of local government elections. * **Integration:** Understanding how scanning technology can interface with existing electoral processes and IT infrastructure. * **Risk Management:** Identifying industry best practices, potential challenges, and risk mitigation strategies. * **Trial Opportunities:** Exploring the costs and logistics of conducting a BPS trial during a council by-election prior to March 2028. ### 🏢 Issuing Organization The tender is issued by **The Electoral Commission of Queensland**, based in Brisbane. As an independent statutory authority, the ECQ is responsible for the integrity of the democratic process in Queensland, including boundary reviews and election management. ### 🎯 Desired Outcomes The primary goal is to gather comprehensive market intelligence to inform future procurement strategies. This includes detailed cost analysis, potential financial offsets, and a clear understanding of vendor capabilities in the IT and telecommunications sector. Businesses specializing in **optical character recognition (OCR)**, **data security**, and **electoral technology** are encouraged to respond.