A civic technology organisation, YandiTech, has launched an electoral information platform, “Muryarmu” (Our Voices), aimed at addressing voter apathy and improving citizens’ access to electoral information ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the launch of the platform on Thursday in Kaduna, the Chief Technology Officer of YandiTech, Mr Musa Magaga, said the initiative was designed to strengthen democratic participation by providing citizens with easy access to reliable election-related information.
According to him, one of the major reasons behind the project is the increasing level of voter apathy in many communities across the country.
“We believe we have an obligation to contribute solutions that will encourage citizens to participate actively in the democratic process.
“Another major issue is access to information. Many people do not have adequate information regarding elections and electoral processes, making it difficult for them to make informed decisions about leadership,” he said.
Magaga explained that the platform was developed to simplify access to electoral information and assist citizens in making informed choices during elections.
Magaga said one of the key features of the platform was the polling unit locator, which enabled users to easily identify the exact locations of their polling units through maps and other details.
“A lot of people usually find it difficult to locate their polling units during elections, but with this platform, users can simply input their polling unit number and gain access to the location without stress,” he said.
He further stated that the platform also integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) to provide users with information on election dates, candidate profiles, and other electoral details in a conversational format.
“Instead of searching through several websites, citizens can interact directly with the platform and access information quickly and conveniently,” he added.
The YandiTech official acknowledged the challenge of internet accessibility in rural communities, however noting that the organisation was already developing solutions to bridge the gap.
According to him, the next phase of the platform will include a WhatsApp chatbot feature and offline messaging services to enable users in remote areas access information through text messages.
“We are looking at different ways to improve accessibility, especially for people in remote communities who may not have stable internet access,” he said.
Magaga described the launch as the beginning of a broader effort to strengthen civic participation and improve electoral awareness among Nigerians, particularly young people and first-time voters.
He said the organisation had already received useful feedback from stakeholders and would continue improving the platform based on users’ suggestions and identified gaps.
Magaga also urged young Nigerians to use their skills and strengths to contribute positively to their communities.
“As Nigerians and as human beings, we all have obligations to our communities. The best way to give back is to identify our strengths and use them to create a positive impact,” he said.
Also speaking, the Gender and Social Protection Officer of YandiTech, Hope Garba, said the platform was designed to remove barriers that discourage citizens from participating in elections.
Garba said access to the right information would empower citizens to make informed decisions and exercise their democratic rights effectively.
She added that the platform would particularly benefit young and tech-savvy voters who prefer accessing information through digital devices.
According to her, transparency, accountability and inclusiveness by government institutions are critical to rebuilding citizens’ trust in the electoral process and reducing voter apathy.
