Abstract

Referendums are among the most direct expressions of popular sovereignty, enabling citizens to decide upon matters of national and constitutional importance without intermediation by elected representatives [1]. The legitimacy of referendums depends not only on procedural accuracy but also on public trust, transparency, and fairness [2]. The rapid integration of digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), into referendum administration presents both significant opportunities and unprecedented risks [3]. On the one hand, AI-driven tools can strengthen democratic governance by improving voter identification, safeguarding voting integrity, combating disinformation, and enhancing administrative efficiency [4]. On the other hand, AI also raises acute legal and ethical challenges, including opacity in algorithmic decision-making, privacy violations, bias, and susceptibility to manipulation [5,6]. Drawing upon international standards such as the OSCE/ODIHR guidelines, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and United Nations initiatives, this article argues for a legal framework grounded in ethics, privacy, and independent oversight. The future of referendum rights in the digital era will depend on the capacity of legal systems to regulate AI in a way that enhances legitimacy while safeguarding democratic values.