Society Voting: WhatsApp Polls vs Plinth
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.