Updates on Biometric Voter Registration for Liberia, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria
Biometric voter registration is one example of how technology has advanced over the last decade to provide more secure and efficient elections. The biometric voter registration system takes into account the individual’s physical traits and attributes to confirm their identity and right to vote. Voter fraud and manipulation such as stealing identities, and casting numerous ballots can be avoided by using this technique.
Liberia Delays Biometric Registration
The NEC postponed the nationwide voter registration drive until later this year. On Monday, December 5th, 2022, the commission declared through a press release that the revised target date of December 15th had been postponed. The incumbent president, George Manneh Weah, is running for re-election for a second six-year term against many opposition figures in Liberia’s upcoming 2023 presidential and parliamentary elections.
The shift occurred after the PPCC authorized Laxton’s selection to deliver the voter registration equipment and software, which was the culmination of a protracted procurement process. Waymark Infotech and its partner Montana have filed an appeal to the decision, arguing that their combined bid was about $700,000 less and fulfilled all qualification requirements, as reported by Front Page Africa. The partner is unhappy with the financial records Laxton provided and the fact that computers, not tablets, were used during t he demonstration.
Zimbabwe Registered 70% of Voters
According to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, over 70% of eligible voters have already registered, as reported by The Herald. Chief Elections Officer, Utoile Silaigwana of the ZEC gave an update to the Zimbabwean Parliament, saying the biometric system has been successful in preventing duplicate registrations.
Silaigwana said those already on the voter roll are to blame for ZEC’s inability to register all who apply. A person may not always be able to confirm their registration status with authorities because some registrations take place outside of the public eye. The official also argued that the ZEC should be given more money to help educate the public about voting.
Nigeria Closing Down on Voter Fraud
Numerous voter cards with what looked to be pictures of youngsters were discovered by amateur digital sleuths. People on the preliminary list may have registered before time and more than once by merely altering their appearance, whether through makeup, clothing, or posture. Although 18 is the legal voting age, dishonest politicians can increase their popularity by enrolling minors and convincing voters to cast multiple ballots.
Questions have been raised concerning how these duplicate voters managed to slip through the pricey new fingerprint and facial identification technology. The Independent National Electoral Commission set up registration centers where information such as age, gender, fingerprints, and pictures was collected in an effort to prevent such issues. In the closely contested general election held next February, even a small difference might mean success or failure for a candidate.
Many nations are struggling with this problem, and developing a solution can be quite challenging. Turning to Biometric Turnkey Solution can be an option for dealing with such problems. M2SYS which is a global biometric provider has separate solutions for the biometric voter registration system. Get in touch with us to learn more about it.
