How Cardano Will Help to Improve The Electoral Systems in Africa
The history of democracy in Africa has proven that competitive elections are indeed significant political moments of transition, regeneration, and restoration. But, while elections are the key events of any democratic society, they are still the most manipulative democratic structure. Elections are full of fragility. As much as the elections in Africa have been clearly beneficial, they also have preceded moments of instability that intensified ethnic violence, political fragmentation, and societal imbalances. In order to clarify whether elections are capable of bringing change or uncertainty, it is important to examine whether the political system is ready for free and fair elections and how the elections are planned and conducted.
The electoral system has developed rooms for corruption and vote manipulation. For this reason, the establishment of effective electoral processes is one of the main factors affecting the continent’s democratization and political struggle.
Through the years, there have been a series of open and hidden meetings set up to instigate measures on how to run free and fair elections, yet vote manipulation, corruption, and other problems facing the electoral system continue to hinder progress. Technology, however, has come to the rescue.
Blockchain Technology
Blockchain is generally referred to as a digital mechanism that is used to store information in a way that it can be visible to all but cannot be tampered with.
This precious technology has come to the aid of mankind in several segments of life and the electoral system is just one of them.
The current ballot system of voting has prevented many nations from adequate growth as a result of the rights of the citizens being trampled upon by political manipulators that rig the elections.
This new system of voting uses modern technology, which is incorporated with the blockchain network, to ensure that factors such as transparency, accountability, and security are met without compromising the privacy of the voters. The cost of setting up the blockchain system is considerably lower than the cost of operating a ballot system.
There are substantial benefits of using the blockchain system which includes a simpler and smoother voting procedure, which would undoubtedly lead to an increased number of voters. Cardano is one of the blockchain networks in the digital space that has provided the said mechanism for an improved voting experience.
Why Cardano?
Cardano is a public blockchain network with the aim of building a sophisticated network that will function better than existing blockchain networks and this is made possible with scientific philosophy.
One of the laudable aspirations of Hoskinson, Cardano’s founder, is a governance model that is decentralized and very secure. One that gives everyone that is part of the network a voice and control over what happens on the network.
There are three (3) organizations responsible for the upkeep and growth of the Cardano network. They include: -
- The Cardano Foundation: This is a regulated custodial body of Cardano that is not created for profit but to standardize, safeguard and facilitate growth for the Cardano network.
- Input Output Hong Kong (IOHK): This is a research and development entity tasked with building Cardano, and they go about this task in the most efficient manner.
- Emurgo: This is an international company that provides aid and solution for companies seeking to promote their business with blockchain technology.
How Cardano Can Improve The Electoral System in Africa
As mentioned earlier, Cardano is built to listen to its community more than it dishes out orders. It has a governance model that portrays a system of freedom; the real democracy of Blockchain that is built in such a way that users are encouraged to play a part in the network and votes are immutably documented. This means that investors are responsible for the sustainability of the network.
This approach and the ground-breaking technology behind it can be extended to any project or even society. It is a roadmap for reformation which gives power to everyone to decide their fate.
Cardano plans to launch a modern voting and treasury strategy that would allow the network users to vote on the prospects of the Cardano network using their voting rights. Previously, Cardano implemented the Project Catalyst and DC Fund, which are the key components of the voting and treasury process.
The first vote is scheduled for October 2020, and ADA holders will decide on a $250,000 treasury pool. The treasury fund is said to rise continuously in the future. IOHK will use Idenscale, an Innovation Management Partner; Idenscale will work with the community and evaluate their plans and propositions.
Voting will take place every 6 to 8 weeks on the Cardano blockchain, in which the ADA community will vote on whether to endorse a proposal or not. The Cardano community will either return the funds to the treasury, or they can opt to allocate them to ballot policies.
This system of voting would encourage participation, which would strengthen the Cardano project. This purely decentralized method has been Cardano’s goal all along.
In conclusion, if such a mechanism of Cardano is being introduced in the African electoral system, democracy is sure to reach its height of expectations. The E-voting system will save costs of setting up a ballot system for a start, set up an easy voting system (of which you only need an internet-accessible device), eradicate fraudulent patterns; ensure more voters are participating in the voting system, and ensure security. Africa wouldn’t have asked for more.
