Technology’s capacity to further electoral democracy in Africa first grabbed attention in 2000. Mobile phone coverage had spread across Senegal, allowing reporters to phone in results before they were announced officially, and independent radio stations were flourishing.

Opposition candidate Abdoulaye Wade had developed database software that allowed him to track voting intentions village by village and target his campaign accordingly. Poll results – giving him overall victory – were collated independently before anyone had a chance to interfere with the official tally.