Cutting-edge
technology enhances human rights monitoring during Togo elections
The right to vote is vitally important
to the vast majority of the world population. Voting give each individual a say
in the way they are governed and allows each person to have a say on issues
that affect their life. Governments without popular support cannot stand
indefinitely, particularly when proactive citizens in the country and the world
learn of instances corruption and injustice. This is why the advancements in
Togo are so encouraging: the citizens are being empowered and are able to
report any violations of human rights or voting protocol that they witness, and
their actions produce real, tangible results. The UN office in Togo set up not
only a hotline but also an Internet reporting service and a force of 600
observers to ensure the election went smoothly. These precautions are
absolutely necessary because, as evidenced by the amount of usage the tools
received (200 calls and 1,200 online reports), Togo’s electoral system is not
yet beyond corruption. When a person votes, his or her vote deserves value
equal to that of each other vote as well as being accurately counted without
tampering or coercion. Having participated in model United Nations, I can
understand the value of the right to vote and can appreciate the strides that
the United Nations is taking to improve the political situation in Togo. The
tool on the Internet, called “AssereDassefo”
(which means witness in some African languages) was incredibly productive, “several
allegations of human rights violations reported via the internet platform,
including the intimidation of political activists, votes by minors and voters
being bribed.” This kind of behavior, though frowned upon by the
modernized world, still occurs, and it is through initiatives like this one
supported by the UN that we can help bring these abuses of rights and power to
an end.
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