Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Implementing Biometrics-based Systems: Electronic Voting Selection Criteria

Home Youth Corner Implementing Biometrics-based Systems: Electronic Voting Selection Criteria

 

By Dr Risco Mutelo

Electronic voting, known as e-voting, is to be used later this year when Namibia goes to the National Assembly and Presidential polls. Also the 8th International Electoral Affairs Symposium 2014 is aimed at building confidence and trust in the electoral process, which will also be held from on June 25th – 27th  in Kenya.

On this basis researchers at the Biometric Research laboratory, BRL, have decided to dedicate this article on electronic voting selection criteria. E-voting technology is being increasingly used around the world. In particular, the market in Third World countries is growing at an alarming rate. However, some European countries are moving in the opposite direction. For example, India now uses e-voting machines exclusively for all elections. The U.S., which is a global leader in e-voting, uses different voting systems in different counties. German stopped the use of e-voting after several decades of using e-voting machines.

This results in a number of questions such as why some countries are moving to e-voting while others are moving away from the technology. How does any country decide whether e-voting technology is the right approach and when is it advisable to proceed using the technology? There is no single answer. The answer for each country is complex and requires detailed research and consultation with specialists.

The initial step in implementing e-voting is the decision making process concerning the adoption of the e-voting technology. This process will vary considerably from one country to another. However, irrespective of the country implementing e-voting, a decision to implement e-voting is likely to meet the needs of the electoral commissioners if some criterions are met such as:

– Open consultation with electoral stakeholders in the respective countries.

– Independent comprehensive research into available technologies.

– E-voting technology must be evaluated against well defined objectives for implementation the technology.

In summary, the decision process to use e-voting consisting of:

–       First of all, assessing whether there is a problem with the current voting;

–       Secondly, assessing the technical feasibility of addressing the problem with the technology;

–       Finally, assessing the anticipated benefits and potential risks, financial feasibility and stakeholders’ reactions to the technology.

Researchers from the Biometric Research Laboratory (BRL), show that it is vital to understand both the benefits and weaknesses of the e-voting technology. Implementing e-voting technology is complex and requires comprehensive research and consultations.More information on the implementation of biometrics based solutions can be requested from risco. mutelo@namibiabiometricsystems.com or u2risco@live.co.uk .

Dr Risco Mutelo is a Namibian who currently works for the Bank of America stationed in London where he studied Biometrics Engineering at New Castle University in the United Kingdom.