EC mulls using biometric system

(Bernama) – PUTRAJAYA: The Election Commission (EC) is mulling the possibility of using biometric system to enable the voter’s verification process to be done electronically, said EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof.

He said although the system was capable of detecting multiple voting and ensuring transparency, it needed to be scrutinised before being implemented because it would be costly.

“This does not mean that the existing system is no longer relevant, safe or transparent because despite allegations of multiple voting, none of the claims had been brought to court so far,” he said in an interview recently. The EC had previously proposed the use of indelible ink during the 12th general election but the idea was scrapped due to security reasons.

“The proposal also contravenes Article 119 (1) of the Federal Constitution which guarantees every citizen’s constitutional right to vote in an election, and that right cannot be denied unless the registered voter is disqualified under the law,” Abdul Aziz said.

Commenting on the removal of dead voters’ names from the electoral roll, Abdul Aziz said the process was done daily with cooperation from the National Registration Department (NRD).

“What is happening now is that there are many next-of-kin who did not report the death their relatives to the NRD. They assumed that the burial permit obtained from the police can be used as the death certificate.

“Actually, the death certificate can only be issued by the NRD,” he said, adding that this had given rise to claims of phantom voters in the electoral rolls. Bernama