Hi Joseph,
Yes, I think so too now. Actually if you take a closer look at the source code repository you will realize that the instructions provided are for the backend alone. That is also mentioned in the article on Arstechnica.
The intention of keeping the clients away under lock and key is to make sure that fraud / rigging during polling activities does not take place since there is only one or a few controlled and authentic front-ends to the it (maybe Web, Mobile, IVR, USSD and so on).
It could be an interesting project to develop clients to it for use around .....
Martin.