A new and improved voter registration system has been launched yesterday. Called the Biometric Voter Registration, the system is expected to solve problems normally faced during voting such as double voting and or voting on other people’s names. The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission held the launching at the National Museum to mark the start of the Biometric Voters Registration Campaign. The ceremony was attended by the chairman of the SIEC, Sir Allen Kemakeza, Opposition leader Dr, Dereck Sikua, Permanent Secretary of Home affairs, Mr. Fred Fakarii and Representatives. Chief Electoral Officer Polycarp Haununu said the Electoral Commission will undertake a nationwide registration of eligible electors using the new system, starting from January to March 2014. “This is part of strengthening of the Electoral Cycle in Solomon Islands,” Mr Haununu said. He said the commission has taken the “bold decision” to replace the current voters list with a list to be compiled using the Biometric technology, in the face of advancing ICT and emerging challenges in voter registration in the Solomon Islands. “In the past years, registrations of voters were captured manually which sometimes not accurate and takes up a lot of time. With the use of this system, it will be simple fast and reliable.”
Biometric Voter Registration is simply the use of a laptop computer attached to a scanner and a camera to capture an individual’s details, thumbprint, an ID photo for reference purposes and for future corrections on the data base.
Mr Haununu explained that after a voter is registered, he or she will be issued with an identity card.
“The identification cards will be used by voters during the voting time,” he said.
He said previously, many voters engaged in multiple registrations, there were inflated voters lists; there were difficulties in removing deceased persons from the voters list and also making amendments.
“There was also difficulty and challenges in managing information of electors and assigning electors to designated polling.”
Full Article: New voter registry system launched.
