Our Methodology
Transparency in how we work is as important as the transparency we provide. Here's exactly how we collect, verify, and present political information.
How We Collect Election Data
Election results are the foundation of political transparency. We collect this data exclusively from official government sources to ensure accuracy and legitimacy.
1. Official Results Collection
We retrieve official election results directly from government electoral commissions and verified public databases. We never rely on media reports or unofficial tallies.
2. Data Normalization
Results are normalized into a consistent format across all elections, making historical comparisons meaningful and accurate.
3. District-Level Detail
When available, we capture results at the district level to provide granular insights into voting patterns and regional variations.
4. Metadata Documentation
Each election record includes voter turnout, eligible voters, invalid votes, and other contextual metadata from official sources.
Important: All election data includes direct citations to the official source, allowing anyone to verify our numbers independently.
How We Collect Party Information
Political party information comes from a combination of official registries, verified party submissions, and publicly available documents.
Official Registry Data
- Party name, acronym, and legal registration details from government registries
- Leadership information from official party filings
- Founding dates and organizational structure
Party-Submitted Information
- Parties can submit verified information through our official process
- All submissions require documentation and are subject to verification
- Updates to party profiles must be authenticated and sourced
Electoral Programmes
- Campaign manifestos and electoral programmes from official party publications
- Policy positions extracted from verified party documents
- Historical programmes archived for comparison and promise tracking
How We Track Promises
Promise tracking is our most editorial process, but it follows strict guidelines to maintain objectivity and fairness across all parties.
Our Process
- 1Extract specific, measurable promises from official electoral programmes
- 2Document the exact wording and context of each promise with citations
- 3Monitor government actions, legislation, and official announcements for progress
- 4Update promise status based on verifiable evidence with dated records
- 5Provide clear reasoning and evidence for every status change
- 6Allow parties to submit evidence for status reviews
Promise Status Definitions
How We Verify Information
Every piece of information on Votuo goes through our verification process before publication.
Primary Sources Only
We use official documents, government databases, and authenticated party publications. Media reports alone are never sufficient.
Multiple Verification
Critical information is cross-referenced across multiple official sources to ensure accuracy and catch discrepancies.
Citation Required
Every fact has a source citation. If we can't cite it from an official source, we don't publish it.
Date Stamping
All data includes collection dates and source access dates to maintain transparency about information freshness.
Audit Trail
Every data change is logged with timestamps, sources, and reasoning for full auditability.
Expert Review
Complex political information undergoes review by subject matter experts before publication.
How We Handle Corrections
We take accuracy seriously. When errors occur, we correct them transparently and promptly.
1. Report Submission
Anyone can report potential errors through our correction form. All submissions are reviewed within 48 hours.
2. Verification Review
Our team investigates the claim, reviewing the original sources and any new evidence provided.
3. Source Consultation
For disputed facts, we consult the original official sources and, when appropriate, contact relevant parties for clarification.
4. Correction Implementation
If an error is confirmed, we correct it immediately and document the change in our audit log.
5. Public Transparency
Significant corrections are noted publicly on the affected page, explaining what was corrected and why.
Our Commitment: We would rather be correct than first. If there's doubt about a fact's accuracy, we investigate thoroughly before publishing or wait for official clarification.
Our Data Sources
We rely on official, verifiable sources for all information. Here are the primary sources we use:
Election Results
Party Information
Government Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you decide which promises to track?
We track specific, measurable promises from official electoral programmes. Vague statements or general policy goals are not tracked unless they include specific commitments. Our focus is on promises that can be objectively verified as fulfilled or not.
Can political parties dispute your promise tracking?
Yes. Parties can submit evidence for promise status reviews through our official process. If they can provide verified documentation showing progress or fulfillment we missed, we update the status accordingly with full transparency about the change.
How often do you update promise statuses?
We review promise statuses monthly for active governments and quarterly for others. Major legislative actions or policy announcements trigger immediate reviews of relevant promises.
What if official sources disagree?
When official sources contain discrepancies, we note this explicitly and present data from all authoritative sources with citations. We prioritize the most authoritative source (e.g., electoral commission over ministry) and explain our reasoning.
Do you track promises from all parties equally?
Yes. Every party in government gets the same promise tracking treatment, using identical criteria and processes. Opposition parties have their promises documented but marked as 'not in position to fulfill' unless they're coalition partners.
How can I verify your data?
Every data point includes source citations. You can click through to the original official sources and verify our numbers independently. Our entire database is auditable, and we encourage fact-checking.
What if I find an error?
Please report it immediately through our correction form. We review all submissions within 48 hours and correct confirmed errors promptly with full transparency about the change.
Do you have a political bias?
No. We are not affiliated with any political party or movement. Our methodology applies identical standards to all parties, and our verification processes are designed to eliminate bias. If you ever detect bias in our work, please report it immediately.
Questions About Our Methodology?
We're committed to full transparency. If you have questions about how we work, please contact us.