Society voting: WhatsApp vs paper vs Plinth
WhatsApp polls are free but legally indefensible. Paper ballots work for small in-person AGMs but exclude absent owners. Dedicated society voting software like Plinth gives verified voters, enforced rules, and an audit trail — the combination committees need when decisions are challenged.
Comparison at a glance
| Capability | WhatsApp poll | Paper ballot | Plinth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verified flat owner | No | Manual check | Yes — claimed flat required |
| One vote per flat or per resident | No | Manual | Configurable per poll |
| Defaulter / dues gate | No | Manual | Optional per poll |
| Voter reminders | No | Manual chase | Email + in-app (open + 24h reminder) |
| Turnout board (secret polls) | No | Manual list | Admin turnout board without revealing choices |
| Secret ballot | No | Yes (if sealed) | Yes — default |
| Quorum enforcement | No | Manual count | Automatic |
| Weighted voting | No | Manual calculation | Automatic |
| Absent / NRI owners | Partial (if in group) | Cannot vote | Vote from any device |
| Audit trail | No | Paper record only | Append-only digital log |
| Ranked-choice elections | No | Complex manual | Instant-runoff built in |
| Credential verification | No | Manual | Upload + admin review |
| Vote receipt | No | Paper stub | QR-code receipt |
Why society apps aren't enough
General society management apps (MyGate, NoBrokerHood, ApnaComplex) focus on gate access, billing, and notices. ApnaComplex matches basic polls and defaulter blocks; MyGate polls stay lightweight. Neither offers ranked-choice instant-runoff, multi-question ballots, credential gates, secret-ballot receipts, or the audit depth Plinth ships for binding AGM decisions.
Plinth is voting-first: every feature (notices, meetings, directory) sits on the same governance and audit foundation.
Ready for dispute-proof voting? Get started on Plinth — free for societies up to 30 flats.