FollowThePromises (FTP) is a civic accountability and governance-tracking initiative of ReadyToLeadAfrica (RTLA) designed to monitor, document, and report on the campaign promises made by political candidates during elections—before, during, and after they are elected into office. FTP seeks to strengthen public trust in democracy by ensuring that elected leaders are held accountable to their words and that citizens are empowered to demand transparency in governance.
Purpose and Objectives:
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Track and document campaign promises made by political candidates at all levels.
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Provide citizens with real-time updates on the progress, fulfillment, or abandonment of those promises.
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Encourage issue-based campaigning over rhetoric, deception, or divisive politics.
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Promote governance accountability, citizen oversight, and democratic performance.
How It Works:
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During campaign seasons, a team of trained volunteers and analysts collects and categorizes promises made by candidates.
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The FTP web platform and mobile app host these promises, searchable by state, candidate, office, and issue area (e.g., health, education, jobs, security).
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After elections, the system is used to track the progress of those elected into office—providing updates, progress reports, and citizen scorecards.
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Citizens can submit observations, verify claims, and participate in community-based governance monitoring.
Strategic Impact:
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Supports a culture of accountability and responsible leadership.
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Enables civic education and awareness among citizens about what was promised versus what is being delivered.
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Empowers youth, media, and CSOs to engage meaningfully in democratic governance through data and facts.
FTP as Part of the EIP-DPAP Framework:
FollowThePromises is the third tier under RTLA’s Electoral Integrity Protection, Democratic Participation and Accountability Project (EIP-DPAP)—coming after:
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YAEVA (Youth Against Electoral Violence Accord)
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FTR (FollowTheResult)
Together, these initiatives form a comprehensive approach to elections and governance—from promoting peace, through election observation, to post-election accountability.