The Internet Problem in Ghana
Imagine you are running a big awards show. You create a beautiful website for voters to support their favorite nominees. You share the link on Instagram and WhatsApp.
But after a week, you notice that your vote count is very low. Why? Because many people in Ghana do not have internet data all the time. Sometimes, internet connection is very slow, or data costs too much money.
Also, some older relatives or local supporters do not use smartphones. They use basic "yam" phones (keypad phones). If your voting system only works on a website, these people cannot support their candidates. You are losing out on lots of votes and potential support.
What is USSD Voting?
USSD stands for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data. It is the simple code you dial to buy airtime or check your balance (like *124# or *170#).
USSD voting allows users to vote by dialing a code on their phone. They do not need internet, data, or a smartphone. It works on any basic phone, even in areas with very weak mobile network signals.
To run a successful paid event, you should combine USSD with a website. (Learn how to set up both in our guide: How to Run a Paid Voting Competition).
Why Offline Voting Earns More Money
When you add USSD voting, your campaign gets more popular and brings in more funds. Here is why:
- It is simple: Users just dial a code, enter the candidate's number, and type how many votes they want.
- No apps to download: Voters do not need to register an account or install heavy mobile applications.
- Direct Mobile Money Prompts: After entering the vote count, a secure prompt pops up on the user's screen asking them to enter their Mobile Money PIN to approve the payment. It takes less than 30 seconds!
How Vootely Brings USSD to Everyone
Getting a custom USSD code from telecommunication companies is very expensive and takes months.
Fortunately, Vootely gives every organizer access to our shared shortcode (*928*419). When you add a nominee, Vootely automatically gives them a unique 5-character vote code. Your supporters just dial the shortcode, enter the nominee code, and pay using MTN, Telecel, or AirtelTigo.
