By: Diranlaolu

In every democratic setting, elections are vital for the emergence of credible leaders. Unfortunately, electoral processes are often marred by malpractice, with politicians employing illegal means in their quest for power. To address these recurring challenges, technology, when applied transparently, has proven to be a reliable tool in supporting electoral bodies with voting and election management.

The significance of elections extends beyond national politics. Even in tertiary institutions, elections ideally serve as avenues for producing capable student leaders. It was within this context that a remarkable innovation was born by a group of brilliant graduates of the University of Ibadan who developed a revolutionary platform for student elections. This “artificial sun” in the student electoral world is none other than SmoothBallot, founded by Prince Onyekachukwu Ogbonna and his colleagues.

SmoothBallot is a digital election and contest management platform designed to make voting seamless, transparent, and credible. The idea was born by the graduates from a desire to solve long-standing issues of electoral malpractice, inefficiency, and distrust that may plague student elections.

What began as an internal solution for the elections of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ibadan, has now evolved into a full-fledged platform trusted by universities, associations, corporate organizations, and entertainment brands across Nigeria. Among its growing list of users are the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), and partnerships in progress with AltSchool Africa and the Silverbird Group.

Speaking to IndyPress, one of the co-founders of the software, Onyechkwu Ogbonna, said,”We certainly know that running elections is expensive, so most times electoral commissions go for alternatives that are not secure or not proven.”

“We had our pilot round of operation early this year in UI and we hosted many elections like BAMSSA elections, Sultan Bello Hall elections, Katanga Republic Elections, PANS elections and many others.”

“To make sure we become a household name for Elections in University of Ibadan, we are currently running a free election campaign,” he added.

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The software simplifies elections and nominations, making the entire process free, fair, and fast. By reducing apathy and enhancing engagement, SmoothBallot transforms campus contests into exciting, professionally managed, and even revenue-generating experiences. Beyond politics, it also powers entertainment and social voting contests, helping communities engage their audiences creatively.

Amazingly, this technological marvel was developed by students outside the Faculty of Technology. This proves that technology is not limited to computer scientists or engineers, it is, at its core, problem-solving through science and innovation.

Therefore, to every student reading this, your course of study is not a limitation, but a stepping stone toward making meaningful contributions to humanity. The SmoothBallot story is a testament that passion, creativity, and purpose can illuminate the path to a greater tomorrow.