Releasing BVR serial numbers poses a substantial risk to the security - EC replies NDC

The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) has responded to the request of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for it to disclose the serial numbers of the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits it is using in the ongoing Limited Voter Registration exercise.

In a statement released on Thursday, May 9, 2024, and sighted by GhanaWeb, the EC said that disclosing the serial numbers to third parties could jeopardize the devices' security and compromise the integrity of the registration exercise.

The EC shed light on the risks of unauthorized access to the BVR kits, stating it could affect the collected data's accuracy.

“The serial number plays a crucial role in the operation of these devices, particularly in the generation of activation codes essential for their functionality as well as tracking their location and movement. Releasing these serial numbers to any external parties, including political entities, poses a substantial risk to the security and integrity of our registration processes.

"That is why this has never been done since biometric voting system was introduced in Ghana,” portions of the statement read.

The EC also stated that denying the NDC's request to access the BVR serial numbers is in the best interest of the electoral process and is not ill-intentioned.

“These measures underscore the transparency of the ongoing Limited Voters Registration exercise. The Electoral Commission has nothing to hide. It is important to note that the demand for serial numbers of BVRs, if granted, could pose major risks to the security and integrity of our electoral system and operations. Prevention of such risks by declining the request, far outweighs any concerns and interests of individual stakeholders," it added.

The NDC had earlier requested the BVR serial numbers to ensure data transparency in monitoring the electoral process.



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