Friday August 23, 2024
Members of the Somaliland National Electoral Commission meet with political party representatives in Hargeisa to finalize agreements on implementing the IRIS BVVS biometric voter verification system for the upcoming 2024 elections.
Hargeisa (HOL) — The Somaliland Electoral Commission has reached an agreement with political parties and associations on implementing a biometric voter verification system for the upcoming elections scheduled on November 13, 2024. The deal comes as the country prepares for its ninth election since 2002 and its third simultaneous presidential and parliamentary election.
The new system, known as IRIS BVVS, will utilize iris recognition technology to prevent multiple voting, ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. Opposition parties initially resisted the adoption of the system, fearing it could delay the election. However, recent successful trials by the commission have alleviated some of these concerns.
"Ultimately, the National Electoral Commission, along with all leaders of the political parties and organizations in the Republic of Somaliland, agreed to implement the IRIS-BVVS Voter Verification System in the six regional capitals of Somaliland for the upcoming presidential elections," according to a statement issued by the commission.
The decision to adopt the biometric system comes during heightened political tensions in breakaway Somaliland, following disputes over term extensions and a history of electoral delays. Somaliland's electoral history has been marred by 29 delays since its democratic transition, often resulting in term extensions that have fueled political tensions.
Opposition parties, who initially resisted the technology due to concerns over potential election delays, have now agreed to its implementation.