Solomon Islands Opposition leader Dr Derek Sikua has called on the Government to make every effort to immediately allocate funds to the National Electoral Commission for the commencement of the biometric voter registration next Thursday. Biometric voter registration to be introduced at the upcoming national general election at the end of this year is a highly advanced biometric information system designed to address the need of a robust and secure voter registration and identification system. Dr Sikua made the call after learning that the proposed commencement of the biometric voter registration on Thursday 27, 2014 would be delayed till March due to government funding problem.
He said he was astounded to learn of the delay when Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has just announced on Tuesday at the National Prayer Breakfast that the foremost priority of the NCRA Government for 2014 is ensuring a clean and fair election this year.
“I find it ironical that the Prime Minister when outlining the NCRA Government’s 10 priorities for 2014 stated a clean and fair election as the foremost of all when it cannot afford to give money to commence the biometric voter registration on the initial proposed date,” Dr Sikua said.
Full Article: Solomon Islands gov’t urged to avail funds towards voter registration – Solomon Islands – News – Islands Business magazine.
