New app aims to give realtime insight into independence voting intentions

A new mobile phone polling app tracking the public’s views on the independence referendum has been launched by a Dundee-based software development company.

Referend-um, from Waracle, allows users to mark their views for or against independence on a sliding scale, with the middle indicator of “Um” signifying an undecided vote.

Waracle managing director Michael Romilly, 31, said he wanted the app to make paper-based polling systems “a thing of the past”.

He said: “Nearly 18 months ago we saw the referendum on the horizon and I could almost visualise what an app might look like.

“It seemed a very obvious thing to do. It is effectively a polling app that allows people to simulate a vote and view and share the results in real time.

“We wanted to launch it exactly 365 days before the main event.”

The app, which is available on Apple’s iOS platform, is not affiliated with any political party or campaign group associated with the referendum.

Mr Romilly said: “You can see what the results are and view historical results.

“You can see how they change and shift and people can change their vote at any time. We can look at the depth of people’s engagement and how they change.”