PROJECT
To broaden society’s understanding of the digital technologies used in electoral processes
OBJECTIVE
To raise the capacities of society by increasing its knowledge about what technologies are used in Colombia’s electoral processes, as well as how to influence future changes to these technologies and their potential regulation.
CONTEXT
In Colombia, digital technologies have been used in the context of elections for years without clear regulation, a broad public understanding of how they operate or knowledge of how their use might affect the democratic process. Far from diminishing, in recent years the quantity of and dependence on new technologies in each of the country’s electoral processes have increased.
The lack of greater knowledge around the use of digital technologies in electoral processes serves to maintain narratives of political polarization and the manipulation of results, which are built on the false dilemma between techno-solutionism and technophobia
Project achievements
Karisma assisted in increasing the capacities of various actors in relation to digital technologies within the framework of electoral processes, raising awareness about their use from an interdisciplinary perspective.
How was this achieved?
• Increased the understanding of citizens and voters around the digital mechanisms and technologies implemented by candidates, thereby strengthening their demand for accountability in the use of digital technologies within the electoral process.
• Advocated for institutions involved in the electoral process to coordinate the control and supervision of the use of technology.
• Promoted comprehensive reforms to electoral processes.
