Liberia’s National Elections Commission (NEC) has started a trial voter registration exercise to test the functionality of the biometric voter registration equipment and also to train election agency staff on what is expected of them during the election. actual exercise. Nigeria, for its part, has also scheduled a mock voter accreditation exercise for February 4 to test the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) before it is fully implemented for the February 25 general election.
NEC prepares for full biometric voter registration
Voter registration in Liberia is scheduled to begin in March, but the election arbitrator is already taking steps to test its newly acquired biometric voter registration system that will be used for the exercise, The New Dawn reports.
The post quotes NEC director of communications Henry Boyle Flomo as saying trial voter registration is taking place in Margibi County ahead of the general exercise scheduled to begin on March 30.
The official explained that the test will allow the NEC to identify errors and failures and then take appropriate measures to correct them before the exercise begins in two months’ time.
On how the biometric voter registration process will be carried out, Flomo explained that each registrant will have their ten fingerprints taken and a photo of their face, including other personal data, after which they will be given a voter card. .
Meanwhile, the NEC has assured Liberians that the national ID card will not be the only identification requirement for the voter registration exercise.
The electoral agency’s departure puts to rest fears among politicians and citizens that the ID card would be the only ID card accepted to prove citizenship, writes the Daily Observer.
Opposition politicians had argued that forcing citizens to present their national identity card before registering to vote would prevent many potential voters from exercising their civic duty.
Liberia had a difficult time getting its biometric voter registration system up and running.
Nigeria Plans Voter Accreditation Drill With BVAS
As Nigeria counts down to the National Assembly and presidential elections on February 25, the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) says a nationwide voter accreditation drill is scheduled for Saturday the 4th. February.
According to the Daily Trust, the exercise will take place in 436 voting units to which 436 BVAS machines will be deployed.
“Twelve polling stations have been designated in each State of the Federation and four in the FCT on the equality of the 109 Senate Districts of the country for the exercise. A complete list of voting units, including their names and PU code numbers, as well as their distribution by state, senate district, local government, and registration area (district) will be uploaded to the commission’s website shortly.” says INEC President Professor Mahmood. Yakubu.
Going through the electoral agency, the exercise is to test the integrity of the biometric machines and reassure Nigerians that there will be no glitches in the technology during the actual voting.
INEC has also called on voters whose voting units have been earmarked for mock accreditation to come forward during the exercise. After simulated use, the BVAS devices will reconfigure, officials say.
Meanwhile, INEC has also ensured that the BVAS system has been tested and proven to be robust and cannot be compromised by cyber criminals.
This assurance was given by INEC’s ICT director, Lawrence Bayode, when he made a recent public presentation on behalf of the INEC chief, according to News Express.
Bayode also addressed other issues related to the general preparations for the elections. He mentioned among other things that no qualified voter will be able to do so on election day without presenting their Permanent Voter Card (PVC).
PVC distribution should end today, January 30, throughout the country, and INEC says there are no plans to extend the deadline.
Article Topics
Africa | biometrics | elections | fraud prevention | liberia | Nigerian | voter registration
