Alhagie Mustapha Carayol, the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission has disclosed that the commission's budget for the year 2010 to 2013 is over one hundred and fifty two million Dalasi.
The registration of voters using biometric based solutions, according to the IEC Chairman, who was speaking at a daylong biometrics presentation by Code Inc. and
IEC Chairman Carayol noted that a complete and accurate voter’s list is the starting point of a credible election, stressing that an election that is credible must also prevent voters from voting more than once and unregistered voters from voting.
"The need to shift from the traditional method of registering voters which uses instant Polaroid cameras and films, together with cold laminate pouches to a modern and state-of-the-art technology cannot be emphasised," he said maintaining that IEC has since its inception used the traditional form of voter registration, which includes the use of Polaroid camera, counterfoil books and voting cards using cold plastic laminates. This system, he added, was less secure since the voting card can easily forge and damage.
"Due to the fact that Polaroid cameras and films are obsolete and out of market, coupled with defects such as double registrations, missing names and the fact that clinging on to the traditional method of voter registration will now require the use of laptop computers, digital cameras, printers and generators sets at the registration centres," he stated.
According to him, various biometric systems have been developed around unique characteristic of individuals, since biometric cannot be borrowed, stolen or forgotten.
"Biometric property is an intrinsic property of an individual, as it is extremely difficult to duplicate or share the details," Carayol noted.
He further stated it would also enable them to cross match the data collected so as to verify that the person has not registered before.
Mr. Joseph Colley, Information and Communication Officer at IEC delivered the welcoming remarks, while Mr. Robert, the Chief Electoral Officer gave the closing remarks.
