In a bid to host free, credible and fair 2017 Presidential elections in Kenya, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in Kenya – according to a report we attained, announced that general elections scheduled for August 8th, a comprehensive solution of biometric technology kit will be distributed throughout the whole country.
Over 45,000 MorphoTablet devices are said to be used to verify voter lists and to authenticate voters using both their photos and fingerprint recognition. However, the biometric voting in the country has been reported not to be the first time the country has used the solution. In 2015 a biometric registry was used for citizens receiving social subsidies.
The MorphoTablet devices will also ensure secure transmission of the voter turnout data and election results.
According to a report by FindBiometrics, Kenyan government has appointed Safran Identity & Security to provide the technology during the elections. Safran Identity & Security’s population registration solutions make use of the three main biometrics – fingerprint, face and iris recognition. During the election, the company will make use of both photos and fingerprint recognition.[related-posts]
Earlier this year in January, it was also reported that the Kenya’s Communication Authority (CA) will block access to the internet during the elections to prevent any kind of violence. However the CA in its report said that an internet shutdown will only be used in the “worst-case scenario.”
For one thing we know, African governments have resorted to blocking the internet during elections, arguing that that they want to stop the spread of misinformation.
source: IT News Africa and IEBC
