Somaliland’s NEC has begun trialing an iris-based biometric system that it hopes will put an end to duplicate registrations. This would make it one of the most advanced voter registration systems disclosed Mr. Abdikadir Iman Warsame chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) of Somaliland.
Mr. Abdikadir Iman Warsame speaking to reporters during a press conference held at the NEC headquarters this week said,” National Electoral Commission staffs in the presence of officials representing the three official political organizations have tested the new voting registration gear, this being the fourth trial voter records containing from people in the Hargeisa and Togdheer regions.
“It’s a high time the new voter’s registration system is put in place for the upcoming Presidential and parliamentary national elections, in order to be fully prepared when that time comes”, he said.
The head of Somaliland’s National Election Commission while responding to reporters’ questions regarding the reliability of the new system in deterring multiple registrations and multiple voting which was common in previous processes.
“The new system we are deploying in Somaliland is one of the most technically sophisticated voting register in the world and I assure you it does not leave for multiple registrations and multiple voting”, he stated.
Lastly, the electoral commissioner cautioned the general public against multiple registrations once the process officially commences by saying, “Most people look for an opportunity to vote more than once to enhance their candidate’s chance of winning the election, let them be warned anyone caught engaged in such activities shall the full wrath of the law.
The Horn Tribune
