Is the biometric data used in voter identification at polling stations?

Part 7 of the Public Elections Act, 2012 provides for procedures and arrangement for elections. It provides that when a voter comes to the polling station, s/he must present him/herself to the presiding officer who will check for the name of the voter on the register and also verify that the voter is the same person whose picture shows on the registration card.

POLLING & COUNTING PROCEDURES - MARCH 2018 ELECTIONS

The Voter Identification Officer will apply certain actions depending on each case, the most common cases and actions can be:

1. If the voter is without a Voter ID Card, but presents an Attestation from NEC, the VIO searches the voter’s details on the Register of Voters, and if confirmed, no additional proof of identity document will be requested.

2. If the voter is without a Voter ID Card, and does not have an Attestation from NEC, the VIO searches the voter’s details on the Register of Voters, and if confirmed, either additional proof of identity documents will be requested or witness is allowed to attest the voter’s identity.

3. If the voter presents an unclear or damaged Voter ID Card, She/he is required to present an identity document or a witness attesting the voter’s identity.

4. If the voter photo is on the Register of Voters is correct, but other information (age, sex or misspelled name) do not match, the VIO allows the voter to vote.

Only photos are used for identification of voters.