North west IT firm transforming election day with new software

A LONDONDERRY- based IT firm is creating eight jobs after it received funding from Invest NI to develop polling day software that could transform election processes.

Modern Democracy, a leading elections software and services company, has used the £158,000 support fund for research and development on a cloud-based product called Modern Polling.

With a current focus on the British market, the firm aims to transform the democratic process with the Modern Polling platform.

It says that this will solve many key issues for election managers and officials — by providing secure and faster processing of electors, continuous reporting of polling day issues, election staff management, completion of ballot paper accounts and other benefits.

The product was successfully deployed in the 2019 council elections in Sheffield, Watford and Mid-Sussex.

Its development has allowed Modern Democracy to take on eight new members of staff, which will contribute £300,000 to the economy with salaries over £37,000.

Carmel Quigg, account director at Modern Democracy, commented: “Our main ambition is to become the market leader in polling day digital solutions across GB.

“There is a strong demand to update traditional voting and polling methods and to connect with younger generations to encourage them to vote and participate in the democratic process,” she added.

“Using agile delivery techniques and centric design processes, we have created a secure, transparent system to digitally transform traditional voting methods.”

Des Gartland, Invest NI’s north west regional manager, said: “Modern Democracy is a great example of a company that recognises the value of investing in innovation and research and development.

“It has used our support to develop a platform which is digitally transforming the users’ voting experience, helping it to expand into new markets and create eight jobs in the north west region.”

In December 2 01 8 Modern Democracy also received a £750,000 investment from Crescent Capital and TechStart.

Des Gartland of Invest NI with Carmel Quigg from Modern Democracy