COCTE Launches POLLWATCH App to Boost Ghana’s Electoral Transparency.

Accra: The Coalition of CSOs for Transparent Elections (COCTE) has launched the POLLWATCH App, an innovative tool designed to enhance electoral transparency and accountability in Ghana. It is designed to empower citizens and civil society organizations as it facilitates real-time sharing of verified information from the over 40,000 polling centres nationwide.According to Ghana News Agency, the tool promotes transparency, accountability, and active participation in election day activities, marking a significant step forward in ensuring fair and credible elections. Mr. David Kumi Addo, Convenor, COCTE, speaking at the launch of the mobile app in Accra Tuesday, described the app as a ground-breaking platform aimed at strengthening democracy by addressing challenges to electoral transparency. He said, 'This is not just an intuitive app, but a movement towards transparency, accountability, and inclusion in our democratic process.'He expressed confidence in the app's potential impact on the upcoming election an d that it would provide credible, verified information, eliminate speculation, and build trust among users. The app features an operations room which carefully verifies all submitted content, ensuring that only accurate and reliable information is shared. Content failing verification is not published, reinforcing transparency and truth. 'It embodies our collective commitment to ensuring that every vote counts, every voice is heard, every irregularity is addressed. It is a tool for empowerment. It is now in your hands.' Mr. Addo said.Mr. Albert Wortogbui, one of the developers, who demonstrated how the POLLWATCH App works, said it was a user-friendly platform available for download primarily on Android devices. 'Users can access it through a web browser link, https://app.pollwatchgh.com, and choose to install it as a standalone app,' he added. He said, 'To ensure security and prevent misuse, the app requires users to register with their phone numbers. This helps maintain accountability and minimizes the spre ad of false information.'Upon accessing the app, users are directed to a homepage where they can engage with its features to promote transparency and integrity during elections. The app, he said, began with a registration process requiring users to input their phone numbers to be verified and once verified, users provided basic information, including their name, region, and constituency. Users can input polling station results, which are verified by the app's internal system and cross-checked with the Electoral Commission's data before being published. Users can also attach pink sheets to their submissions, he explained.Mr. Wortogbui further demonstrated that users could report election-day irregularities, such as voter intimidation or ballot tampering, and that reports could include photos, videos of up to 30 seconds, and written descriptions, all of which were subjected to strict verification before publication. Through these features, the POLLWATCH App aims to democratize election monitoring, allowing citizens to play an active role in ensuring free, fair, and credible elections, he said.