Reply #8: Don't see the problem with Paper

[shaggy briard]

If you put paper ballots into a clear box that starts empty. Then extras cannot be inserted.
If you have two partisans each count the ballots in public view and then submit totals for each race only when they both agree on the counts -- then both sides will have agreed to the count.
If there are clear rules written for interpreting ambiguous ballots that are agreed to before the election, then there is little room for dispute.
If each observer signs the counts, then there is a record that can be compared.
If the ballots are stored and publicly available for others to count under supervision, then people can satisfy themselves that the counts are honest.

Problems can enter if there is collusion between supposedly partisan observers. This means that local fraud can occur. Centralization reduces the risk of maximum fraud. However, partisan monitoring is probably the best safeguard.