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

Namibia, ECN, Voters' Registration Kit, accessed 3 December 2019

“Biometrics (or biometric authentication) refers to the identification of humans by their characteristics or traits. Biometrics is used in computer science as a form of identification and access control. What is the VRK? The Voter Registration Kit (VRK) is the computerized unit that captures the voter data. It comprises a computer (laptop), a fingerprint scanner, signature pad and camera. In addition, the mobile voter registration kit (MVRK) has a printer component that allows voter cards to be printed at the registration point. […]

How is the card used during voting?

During voting, the voter’s card can be used in two ways to verify the voter:

- Manual recognition (and verification on the voters roll) of the voter from the card through their picture and other details;

- Electronic recognition through a device which has a full copy of the voters roll. This verification device allows the card to be scanned and verified against the voters roll, as well as allowing voter confirmation through the comparison of the fingerprint after the voter’s card is scanned.”