Enhancing Online Petitions in Somalia for Civic Engagement and Policy-Making Using Blockchain
Mohamed Ibrahim Abdullahi, Abdirahman Abdiaziz Geesey, Abdirahman Ali Maow, Mohamed Hasan Omar, Bashir Abdinur Ahmed · 2024
To achieve a stable and equitable government in Somalia, it is crucial to encourage active public participation in politics and informed decision-making. An online petition is a digital form that allows people to gather support and signatures for a cause or request. Traditional methods of civic engagement often face significant challenges, such as limited access, safety concerns, and the inherent weaknesses of centralized systems, which are prone to issues like manipulation and fraud. Although citizen involvement is crucial for influencing public policy, creating a secure and transparent online petition system specifically tailored to Somali issues remains a significant challenge. This study explores the potential of blockchain technology to enhance online political campaigns and address these issues by developing a decentralized solution. Unlike other platforms that adopt a global or generalized approach, the proposed system is designed to meet the unique needs of the Somali context. It ensures the integrity of data and the authenticity of petition signatures, thereby fostering trust in the process. The platform features a user-friendly interface that enables the creation, signing, and management of petitions, along with real-time monitoring and interactive tools to promote community involvement. Additionally, the petition data provides policymakers with valuable insights, facilitating decisions that align with the community's needs. In conclusion, this research aims to advance community engagement and policy-making in Somalia by developing a decentralized, transparent, and secure blockchain-based online petition platform.