Sumatra to Pilot Blockchain App for 'Decentralised Decision-Making'

An Australian startup is launching a blockchain application in Indonesia that could eventually allow citizens to vote in elections.

The pilot project from Horizon State is expected to launch on the island of Sumatra in July, with the roll-out expected to continue till December, the platform's co-founder, Nimo Naamani, told CoinDesk via email.

The blockchain-based platform will be made available to locals via a mobile app and is initially aimed to help provide "Decentralised decision making and community engagement," according to Naamani.

Ultimately, the startup hopes the app could extend to voting to counter fraud and address local electoral challenges, as well as other services.

"Through the platform, we can provide communities with tools to increase engagement and discussions. Through our partners, we can provide the constituency with additional benefits such as access to financial services on a micro-level - something that's not so easy with existing banking infrastructure."

Should the Sumatra pilot prove successful, Horizon State is hoping to expand the project across the country.

The news arrives as Indonesia is more widely eyeing blockchain technology.

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawat told the news source that her department was eyeing blockchain for various use cases including subsidies and micro-loans.

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