MONROVIA – The National Elections Commission (NEC) is considering the introduction of biometric voter ID cards for the 2023 elections.
The introduction of the biometric system will prevent issues of duplication, double registration and lend credibility to the entire electoral process. The biometric voter registration uses unique physical features of an individual –most commonly fingerprints-for voter registration and possibly also authentication. A biometric contains this information and is validated at the polling place on election day.
At the official launch of the process on Monday, NEC chair Davidetta Brown Lansanan said, the introduction of the BVR globally has had some advantages, among them is the possibility of enhancing voter confidence and increasing the integrity, accuracy and transparency of the electoral process.
“The Commission hopes that the potential adoption of the BVR in Liberia can bring about greater efficiency in data capture and analysis, and increased security improving the conduct of future elections,” she said.
About the feasibility study
The study will focus on identifying the exiting issues with the voter roll. There will be series of consultation with stakeholders, look at the possible integration and linkage with the NIIR and advice on what is possible within the given time firm.
“We will explore what are the options we have at the moment and what are the different approaches, cases to reference and measure it with lesson learnt from the region where biometric is being used. The study is expected to last for three weeks,” she said.
On June 6, 2021, a 7-member delegation from ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions, (ECONEC), post-Election Follow Up and Needs Assessment Mission arrived in Liberia for a week-long visit.
The ECONEC delegation, arrived in Liberia via the Roberts International Airport, as guest of the National Elections Commission, (NEC).
A statement from NEC-Liberia on Sunday, 6 June 2021 says, the 7-member ECONEC delegation is expected to also hold discussions on post elections activities and needs assessment with a number of elections stakeholders in the Liberia.
The ECONEC delegation includes, Adama Aladoua of CENI, Niger, Abadoul Raouf Salami, ECONEC Secretariat, Abuja, Francis Gabriel Oke, ECOWAS-EAD, Abuja and Benjamin Bano-Bioh, Elections Commission, Ghana.
Other members of the ECONEC delegation include, Baidessou Soukolgue, ELSA, Abidjan, Alicia Kamara, GiZ, Freetown and Valerie Arikpoh Etta, Abuja, Nigeria.