Apparently working ballotboxahead the February 14 general elections, MTN Nigeria has just launched a voter education application called the 2015 BetterMe app.
The app, which launched in Abuja, Monday, according to MTN, serves as both an innovation and engagement towards enhancing and deepening Nigeria’s electoral process.The telecom company said the app has a vast and robust content offering including segments on the 2015 elections, even as it is available to MTN subscribers.
The new app enables subscribers to seamlessly access information relating to the elections, from their mobile phones.
Subscribers can access information on candidates for the elections, their plans and manifestoes as well as the strategic thrust and policy direction of the various political parties, among others from their mobile phone.
The segment on the 2015 election of the BetterMe app is a collaborative effort of the Independent National Electoral Commission, National Orientation Agency and MTN Nigeria.
Director, Voter Education, INEC, Mr. Oluwole Osaze Uzzi, while speaking at the unveiling of the app, stated that it is a major platform for voter engagement and a big step forward in Nigeria’s quest for participatory democracy.
“When the idea was mooted, we were quite excited because of the positive benefits that the app has in engaging the voter and enhancing their participation in the electoral process,” said Mr. Uzzi.
He said that INEC partnered with MTN because of the reach of its network. “We commend MTN and NE02, developers of the app, because without being prompted, they have developed the app to help enhance access to information and voter education. For elections to be credible voters must participate in the electoral process in an informed manner.”
Uzzi added that the app has unusual application for security agencies, election observers, among other stakeholders in the electoral process.“The ease of using the app for voter education is quite commendable. We hope the scope of the partnership can be expanded in other areas and that other organisations will take a cue from this initiative in their CSR initiatives,” said Uzzi.
General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, Richard Iweanoge, said the BetterMe app is one among several initiatives MTN has introduced to enable its subscribers derive more value from the internet, because with the elections around the corner, Nigerians will find the app even more useful in participating in the electoral process.
On his part, Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Mike Omeri, said that the app is a welcome addition to Nigeria’s sophistication. “It is very uplifting that the BetterMe app was built by a Nigerian, which is an indication of our potential. The app will make Nigerians not only witnesses but also participants in the electoral process,” he said.
CEO of NEO2, developers of the app, Fola Akinmolayan, said that the platform is secure and can be accessed via most mobile phones.
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