Vol. 2012 No. 1 (2012)
Mobile Voting System in Urban Youth Engagement: An Assessment of Democratic Participation in Kenyan Cities,
Abstract
The Mobile Voting System (MVS) has been implemented in several African countries to enhance democratic participation among disenfranchised populations. In Kenya, MVS was introduced as a means of engaging urban youth in electoral processes. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative data from surveys with qualitative insights through interviews and focus groups. A validated Likert scale survey instrument was utilised to gauge participant satisfaction and perceived impact. Survey results indicated that 65% of respondents felt more engaged in the electoral process due to MVS access, while 40% reported a significant increase in their political knowledge as a result of using mobile platforms for voting information. Interviews revealed themes such as improved accessibility and reduced barriers to participation. The Mobile Voting System has shown promise in enhancing democratic engagement among urban youth by providing easier access to electoral processes, particularly for those who face logistical challenges or traditional barriers. Future research should explore the long-term impacts of MVS on political awareness and community involvement. Policy recommendations include expanding internet infrastructure to support wider adoption and ensuring data privacy protections are in place. Model estimation used $\hat{\theta}=argmin_{\theta}\sum_i\ell(y_i,f_\theta(x_i))+\lambda\lVert\theta\rVert_2^2$, with performance evaluated using out-of-sample error.
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