Monrovia –The Executive Director of Liberia’s National Elections Commission (NEC), Anthony Sengbe, has famous the ‘significant progress’ made when the Commission migrated from optical mark recognition to a biometric registration system. This biometric system was launched for the primary time within the 2023 General Elections.
In 2023, Laxton Group, Neurotechnology and 3D Technology collaborated to implement a Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) system for Liberia’s common elections. They amongst different issues deployed fingerprint scanners as a part of the biometric voter registration kits. According to them, they considerably improved fingerprint information seize high quality, enhanced safety, and streamlined the entire course of, ensuing within the profitable registration of practically 2.5 million eligible voters throughout 2,080 registration facilities.
Notwithstanding the successes of the 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections, Sengbe, nonetheless, thinks that elections stakeholders within the nation can enhance additional on the processes.
“Building on the successes achieved during the 2023 General Elections is an important opportunity to identify areas for improvement and ways to strengthen the Electoral framework using technological solutions like authentication of voters on Election Day.”
According to him, probably the most advanced duties for any electoral administration physique (EMB) is the creation and upkeep of an correct register of eligible voters. He added: “A biometric voter registration system effectively fulfills this role by serving as a robust tool for detecting duplicate registrations. It is important to recognize that the sole purpose of biometric voter registration is to identify and deter duplicate registrations.”
Following the conclusion of the 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections, commendations poured in from each native and worldwide observers terming the elections as being free, honest and credible.
Nevertheless, the NEC Executive Director states that to enhance upon this morale, the Commission is contemplating early preparations for the 2029 General Elections, making certain a extra organized, environment friendly and participatory course of.
“To obtain this, it should require the Commission to give attention to the next actions throughout this era: the periodic redistricting of electoral boundaries is important in any consultant system the place single member districts are used. Conducting electoral constituency boundary delimitation/redistricting in compliance with the Constitution and the Electoral Legal and Regulatory Framework of Liberia is a key electoral exercise to implement. The outcomes of the delimitation may ultimately result in the rise within the variety of registration facilities or polling precincts, thereby taking Elections to the folks.
“The growth of a brand new six-year strategic plan, which guides implementation of all roadmaps within the electoral cycle is a recurrent exercise normally undertaken by the NEC each six years.
“Developing an improved and complete electoral regulation reform agenda will improve the credibility of the electoral course of. The Commission has already developed a roadmap and an agenda for reform. Consequently, it’s anticipated that the Commission will maintain consultations with electoral stakeholders to acquire their enter and assist to the reform agenda.
“During the 2023 Electoral course of, handbook verification of voters was accomplished on Election Day. Introducing a biometric authentication system (verifiers) will enhance the electoral course of in future elections. The purpose is to doubtlessly incorporate extra fashionable authentication applied sciences going ahead, with the purpose of enhancing the general integrity, effectivity and credibility of future elections in Liberia.
“Maintaining and Upgrading Software Systems would require adopting acceptable applied sciences that can handle the registration of candidates with out the candidates showing on the Nomination Center and creating particular accreditation portals for Observers, Party Agents, and Media Representatives. Applications of expertise in elections will enhance the electoral processes by making them extra correct and credible. Technology can improve administrative effectivity, scale back long-term prices, and improve transparency.
“To actively participate in post electoral capacity building activities including short- and long-term training of staff, including enhancing technological knowledge, understanding and use in the areas of data and IT, study tours, Elections observation mission, peer-to-peer knowledge and experience sharing with other electoral management bodies. These activities aim to enhance the Commission’s understanding of electoral processes, foster collaboration amongst other EMBs, promote the exchange of best practices and lessons learned and (BRIDGE) Building Resources in Democracy Governance and Elections (BRIDGE) trainings. These ideals are consistent with the objectives of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) and in line with international best practices.”
Meanwhile, NEC Executive Director Sengbe has proposed the crucial want for the organising of an Electoral Fund to be able to make sure the well timed availability of funds for the 2029 General Elections.
“By initiating this process early, the government and its partners can facilitate the process of raising funds for the 2029 Elections over a period, rather than waiting until the Election Year. Overall, by initiating the process early, an Electoral Fund can provide numerous advantages in terms of enhancing financial planning, increase fundraising opportunities, reduce Election-Year burden, and facilitate long-term development, thereby contributing to the smooth conduct of the 2029 General Elections. The Commission anticipates, through Electoral Reform, legislation that will integrate these perspectives,” Sengbe said.
