South Korea’s election panel has refused to back touchscreen voting provided by a Korean firm for vital elections in DR Congo, saying the system is badly suited for the country’s needs. A long-delayed presidential poll is due to take place in the volatile country in December, and mounting tensions have prompted fears of bloodshed. A key factor in the crisis is the perceived credibility of the vote, and a South Korean company, Miru Systems Co. Ltd., is under scrutiny for a contract to provide touchscreen voting machines. In a statement, South Korea’s National Election Commission (NEC) said it was offering “no support or guarantee” for the system being provided for the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“The NEC has expressed its serious concern about the forcible introduction of TVS [touchscreen voting system] into the DR Congo despite the unstable political situation and the vulnerable environment for TVS, including poor electrical infrastructure and road conditions, the high illiteracy rate and a tropical climate which can lead to equipment malfunction,” it said.
The NEC statement, issued on Sunday, came five days after the South Korean embassy in Kinshasa officially distanced itself from Miru Systems.
Full Article: S. Korea election panel attacks DR Congo voting system.
