AFC backs biometrics verification for voting

In an earlier statement, Commissioner Alexander said while there are currently no moves to sanitize the bloated list of electors, he suggested a mechanism to prevent duplicate voting and other forms of illegal voting. He suggested the biometric voting system where the fingerprint of voters would be checked and verified before voting.

AFC backs biometrics verification for voting

The Alliance For Change today signaled its intention to support a proposal by Opposition Commissioner on the Guyana Elections Commission, Vincent Alexander to include a biometrics method of verification at polling place for elections.

In an earlier statement, Commissioner Alexander said while there are currently no moves to sanitize the bloated list of electors, he suggested a mechanism to prevent duplicate voting and other forms of illegal voting. He suggested the biometric voting system where the fingerprint of voters would be checked and verified before voting.

In a statement today, the AFC said, it feels the biometric system can help bring legitimacy to the system.

 “Undoubtedly, using Biometrics, such as fingerprint and retina identification at the polling booth, will deter culprits who have a penchant for corrupting the system through illegal activities. Technology for this purpose will help minimise the suspicions and reality of impersonation and will further enhance confidence in the electoral process,” the AFC said.

The AFC said having been through the experience of the national recount and seeing the recent IRI poll of Guyanese who believe that the last Elections were not above board, it strongly believes that the use of Biometrics in future elections would be a prudent move that would add to our democracy. 

“We, therefore, encourage the government to act post-haste with the discussion and the necessary legislative arrangements for implementation. The statistics of the National Recount revealed that impersonation was high and impacted the outcome. This must never occur again. Sadly, in those elections, over 4000 overseas and some 90 dead individuals voted illegally. Let us bury any recurrence of this atrocity,” the AFC recalls.

The AFC has also described as “political gimmickry’ some of the government’ proposed amendments to the election laws.

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