AI Platform Helps Cape Verdean Voters Compare Party Policies
Cape Verdean IT engineer Edson Veiga has launched an innovative artificial intelligence platform designed to transform how citizens engage with politics ahead of the May 17 legislative elections. The tool, named “Nós AI Eleitor 2026,” allows voters to instantly compare party manifestos by topic, cutting through the noise of traditional campaigning.
Focusing on Substance Over Slogans
“The main motivation for creating this platform is that in Cape Verdean elections, not enough emphasis is placed on party programs,” Veiga told Lusa. the 28-year-old engineer noted that campaigns often prioritize marches, door-to-door visits, and catchy slogans over detailed policy analysis. “Nós AI Eleitor 2026” aims to shift that focus back to informed decision-making.
Developed under the Crioulo Think project, the tool utilizes AI to process the complex electoral programs of Cape Verde’s three major parliamentary parties: the Movement for Democracy (MpD), the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV), and the Cape Verdean Independent and Democratic Union (UCID).
How It Works: Data-Driven Democracy
The system converts official party documents into a searchable database. When a user asks a question about specific sectors—such as education, health, employment, the environment, or diaspora relations—the AI identifies the relevant sections and generates a concise summary of each party’s stance. To ensure transparency, the platform cites the specific section of the manifesto used, allowing users to verify the information manually.
While the tool is revolutionary for the region, Veiga acknowledges that it is a work in progress. “The platform is not perfect,” he said, explaining that a feedback system allows users to rate answers and report inaccuracies. One early error regarding youth employment has already been corrected after the AI initially confused it with adult education policies.
“Not all answers are 100% correct, but they are more reliable than generic AI systems because they are based solely on official election manifestos,” Veiga emphasized.
Bridging the Language Gap
In a nod to local culture, the platform accepts questions asked in Cape Verdean Creole. However, due to current limitations in AI language models, the responses are provided in Portuguese. Veiga, who holds a degree in telecommunications and informatics engineering from the Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon, was inspired by similar digital initiatives seen during Portuguese elections.
Veiga currently works at the Nova Blockchain Lab at Nova University Lisbon and is completing a master’s degree in cybersecurity. Through his Crioulo Think project, he continues to advocate for critical thinking and robust debate on the national issues shaping Cape Verde’s future.
Image: Pexels – Mikhail Nilov