CNN
Posted by KatrinVerclas on Sep 24, 2008
CNN recently reported on mobiles in election monitoring -- providing real-time data from the polling stations transmitted via mobiles. The article asserts: "The humble mobile phone is driving a new revolution which some experts hope could bring fairer elections and democracy to some African states. During the 2006 local government elections in Senegal, Radio Sud used reporters and correspondents with cell phones to call in what they saw. Many African countries have struggled against rigged elections and authoritarian rule since gaining independence last century. However, African observers say the growth of simple communication technologies like cell phones are assisting many states to progress towards open and fair elections in increasingly democratic systems."
CNN argues that the use of mobile phones increases accountability in elections and allows "independent media, especially radio, to provide accurate coverage of elections and make it more difficult for ruling parties to cheat and get away with it."
