01 Aug 2016

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has embarked on an exercise to sensitise key stakeholders on one specific recommendation in the bill that is before Parliament seeking to amend the Electoral Act.

A press release from the IEC states that the recommendation  is to introduce an electronic voting device (Electronic Voting Machine (EVM)).

The release explains that the EVM is an electronic based technology as opposed to software based technology as is the case with computers and similar software based gadgets.

It also says such technology, if introduced, will not replace some of the electoral processes including registration of voters, verification of voters names in the voters roll, verification of Omang and registration cards at the polling stations.

Voters will still have to go to polling stations to cast their vote.

Furthermore, the release says the machine will only replace the ballot paper and the ballot box, which will be incorporated into the configuration of the machine and its associated components.

The machine, it adds, will effectively reduce common long queues on voting day, eliminate rejected votes, and reduce waiting time before the release of results. ENDS