Blockchain Platform to Score Politicians, Increasing Accountability and Voter Engagement

An upcoming blockchain platform says it is determined to bring greater levels of transparency and accountability to the world of politics - creating a system where lawmakers and their policies are given scores by the electorate.

According to NextElection, many democracies around the world struggle to effectively scrutinize elected representatives during their time in office, and it can be difficult for voters to get their voices heard when an unsavory policy has the potential to have a detrimental effect on their lives.

Its platform aims to inject trust back into political discourse, while also helping voters cut out the noise and focus on information that really matters.

A user who is concerned about a particular issue - such as immigration, gun control, air pollution or taxation - will be able to access a "Continuous stream of content and updates" focused on that topic alone.

A feed about a politician would include a biography, a sentiment meter which shows how other voters perceive their performance and voting record, and links to other lawmakers they may be associated with.

For floating voters who are unsure about who to support, such information could prove vital when they are deciding how to cast their ballot.

"A rich visualization of issues"NextElection says issues will be regarded as "Building blocks" on its platform - enabling users to raise their concerns, and cast votes on the problems that matter most to them.

Issues which affect the greatest number of people would gain higher levels of prominence.

The blockchain platform hopes that politicians will begin to use its technology to perform "Real-time performance appraisals" - helping governments to understand which issues are regarded as urgent by the people they serve.

To help users make an informed decision at the ballot box, NextElection also plans to offer historical analysis featuring data about a politician or a party's record on a particular issue - with timelines that show how their scorecard has evolved.