• The Opportunity Party, a New Zealand political party, will make use of Horizon State’s platform for their upcoming leadership elections
• The platform will enable party members vote from their mobile phones and uses a preferential ballot system

Blockchain technology is finding application in government and politics, this time in New Zealand where it will be used by a New Zealand political party, the opportunity Party, for its upcoming leadership election next month.

This move is believed to be a foundation for future use of blockchain in voting which comes as no surprise as recent polls show that a large number of voters support the use of blockchain for the process.

Preferential voting

Members of the Opportunity Party will be able to vote for their choice candidates for their phones using the blockchain-powered horizon platform.

Geoff Simmons, the interim leader of The Opportunities Party, has stated that he hopes this will energize and encourage more party members to participate:

“When I took over as leader of The Opportunities Party, I committed to giving our members a greater say. I hope that more people join our already healthy membership of around 4,000 and they all take the chance to have their say.”

Horizon State

This isn’t the first time that Horizon State is offering its platform for voting.

Earlier this year, there was speculation about the platform being used for elections in India.

Horizon State, on their part, has stated that they have one of the most reliable voting platforms in the world.

“TOP has made a brave choice – to run a fully transparent and inclusive process,” said Horizon State co-founder Nimo Naamani.

TOP’s use of the platform could help set a standard for the rest of New Zealand and the world at large.

Blockchain is also being recommended for use by the country by its Legal Association.

The election for TOP will take place on the 1st of December and will make use of the preferential voting system.

“This act has the potential to set a new standard in the NZ political arena, and is the kind of forward and inclusive thinking that I believe appeals to many in our country,” Haamani said.