Liberian Elections Commission Plans Biometric Election Day Verification for 2029

Anthony Sengbe, Executive Director of Liberia’s National Elections Commission (NEC), has highlighted the successful transition from optical mark recognition to biometric voter registration during the 2023 General Elections. The implementation, which followed consultations with Nigeria’s electoral commission in 2021, marked a significant advancement in the country’s electoral technology infrastructure.

The biometric system, implemented through a partnership between Laxton Group, Neurotechnology, and 3D Technology, enabled the registration of nearly 2.5 million voters across 2,080 centers. Neurotechnology’s MegaMatcher multimodal biometric technology provided the backbone for voter verification, while Laxton Group supplied the hardware components for fingerprint capture and verification.

Looking ahead to 2029, Sengbe outlined plans to enhance the system with biometric authentication devices for Election Day verification, building upon the current manual verification process. The NEC aims to implement regular redistricting of electoral boundaries and develop a comprehensive six-year strategic plan aligned with constitutional requirements.

The Commission’s reform agenda includes technological upgrades for remote candidate registration and specialized accreditation portals for observers, party agents, and media. These improvements follow standards set by the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC), which promotes regional cooperation in electoral management.

To strengthen operational capabilities, the NEC plans to continue participation in Building Resources in Democracy Governance and Elections (BRIDGE) training programs and international knowledge-sharing initiatives. Sengbe has also proposed establishing an Electoral Fund to ensure sustainable financing for the 2029 General Elections, emphasizing the need for early resource allocation to reduce financial pressure during election years.

Sources: Daily Observer

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November 04, 2024 – by Cass Kennedy