Somaliland: 1st in World to Use Iris Scanner Technology to Stem Voter Fraud
The self-declared sovereign state became the first in the world to use the scanners, which is the world’s most sophisticated voting register.
Somaliland's implementation of iris recognition devices follow incidents involving duplication of voters and other alleged fraud and logistic problems dating back to the 2008 elections.
The eyes of registered voters were scanned to verify their identity before they are cleared to vote. Also, social media was blocked during the voting process.
Support for technological advancement on the continent is reflected by the African Union's inclusion of the Science, Technology and Innovation in Africa Strategy.
Ghana, Kenya and Angola all use the fingerprint biometric to identify registered voters.
Members of a 60-man team of international election observers arrived in Hargeisa last week to monitor the poll. The British-funded International Election Observation Mission (EOM) was also invited by the National Electoral Commission.
"The EOM is particularly hopeful that the implementation of the voter registration system will address issues that have marred previous elections, and looks forward to commencing its mission,” according to a statement from the observers.
On Monday, Somaliland voted to elect their fifth president.
Over 700,000 registered voters were expected to cast their votes at more than 1,600 polling stations.
Officials began tallying votes after polls closed at 6:00 p.m. local time.
Somaliland: 1st in World to Use Iris Scanner Technology to Stem Voter Fraud
Support for technological advancement on the continent is reflected by the African Union's inclusion of the Science, Technology and Innovation in Africa Strategy.