Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

IEC Asked to Reverse Decision on Use of Biometric System

IEC Asked to Reverse Decision on Use of  Biometric System

KABUL - In reaction to a recent decision by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) on not using biometric system in parts of the electoral process, a number of presidential candidates said the decision should be reversed as it has been made to “engineer the upcoming polls” in favor of certain candidates.
Article 19 of the election law says that all the electoral process, including voter registration, should be carried out by use of biometric system, but the election commission has said due to lack of time and resources, the commission cannot use biometric devices in the voter registration process – which will start on June 8.
The election commission, however, has said that biometric devices will be used on the Election Day.
“The way will be opened for fraud if technology and biometric were not used in the elections. No doubt, it is not acceptable for us and we will insist on the use of biometric as a principle,” presidential candidate Abdul Latif Pedram said.
“The amendments made in the (election) law says that the process should not go forward without the use of biometric system. When the government does not provide the materials for biometric and we do not have a transparent election, it means misusing the opportunity for those who are in power,” presidential candidate Noorul Haq Ulumi said.
Former National Security Advisor and presidential candidate Mohammad Haneef Atmar said the biometric system has the capacity to ensure transparency in the upcoming elections.
“All recommendations should be considered in a bid to prevent fraud. We will be very regretful if the total plan be ignored and if they bring legal and technical reasons for not using biometric system,” he told TOLOnews. 
“What will be the next option if we ignore the use of biometric system? What is the alternative? I want to see it. All election teams should make a joint decision in order to have a transparent and fair election,” presidential candidate and head of Massoud Foundation Ahmad Wali Massoud told TOLOnews. (Tolo news)