PR says no to ‘problem-ridden’, ‘costly’ biometric system
(Harakah Daily) – Pakatan Rakyat today rejected the Election Commission’s plan to introduce biometric system in the coming general election, saying the system was not only too costly, but has no check and balance as well as fraught with problems of implementation.
In a joint statement signed by PAS’s election director Dr Hatta Ramli, DAP International secretary Liew Chin Tong and PKR strategic director Rafizi Ramli, PR however pointed out that the move, which drew instant approval from prime minister Najib Razak, had vindicated allegations of phantom voters and multiple voting.
“The EC’s move to propose the implementation of biometric system to stop the problem of phantom voters and multiple voting proves that Barisan Nasional cannot deny the voice of the people who participated in Bersih 2.0 rally,” read the statement.
However, the statement said the biometric system would only exacerbate the problem of fraud in the electoral roll, adding that it would face multiple technical and system security issues.
The PR’s stand echoes PAS’s earlier stand rejecting the biometric system due to fears that it was more prone to fraud and manipulation as only a handful would have access to its software.
PAS president Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang (left) had argued that the biometric system would not solve the issue of phantom voters and overlapping registration, and described the move as not practical.
“PAS reiterates its stand to push the EC to use indelible ink when voting to filter out phantom voters and voters who could vote many times in an election,” Hadi said.
Inconsistencies
Hadi pointed out EC’s inconsistencies for rejecting the proposal for automatic registration of voters yet being prepared to work with the National Registration Department to apply the biometric system.
