19/1/2016: Biometric Voter Verification System (BVVS)

Hon. Speaker Rebecca Kadaga tries out the BVVSAs you are aware, a National Voters’ Register is a cornerstone for credible election. Through research involving benchmarking with sister election management bodies across Africa and different parts of the world, we have come to the position that the use of biometrics for verification and authentication at the polling station represents the best solution in strengthening the integrity of voter identification during the polling process.

The Electoral Commission has taken the necessary measures to ensure that only eligible persons appear on the Voters’ Register, and that such persons (voters) do no vote more than once for the same election.

As earlier noted, the Electoral Commission is introducing the use of Biometric Voter Verification System (BVVS), which aims at improving the integrity of the electoral process through authentication of voter identity.

This system basically uses fingerprints to match voter details which will help the election officer to confirm that the voter is on the roll of that polling station. 

Please note that the National Voters’ Register for the 2016 General Elections bears the particulars of a voter, namely: photograph, names, date of birth, and location (that is, the district, county, constituency, sub county, parish, village and polling station) and fingerprints. This is already a good measure to prevent ineligible persons from voting.

The Commission has acquired 32,334 (thirty two thousand three hundred and thirty four) machines to cater for the 28,010 (twenty eight thousand and ten) polling stations in Uganda during the upcoming General Elections.

The Commission further calls upon all stakeholders in the electoral process to follow the guidelines for the use of this technology, so that we get the desired result, which is a fraud-free election. 

Nike

Tuesday, January 19, 2016