Wednesday 27 July 2011

PR says no to 'problem-ridden', 'costly' biometric system


Jul 27: 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 (below) 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.
L-R: Nik Abdul Aziz and Abdul Hadi


“Oddly enough, EC can cooperate with NRD in the biometric system, but not in automatic registration of voters,” he chided.


Prior to this, PAS Youth provided proofs of phantom voters and cases of the same voter being registered to vote twice, something the EC had vehemently denied.


Meanwhile, PAS's rejection of the biometric system got support from Murshidul Am Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, saying anything suspicious and doubtful should not be accepted.


“I support PAS Central Committee's stand in rejecting the biometric system introduced by the EC. Reports claiming I supported the plan were inaccurate.


"I only stated that I would support any system that brings good and not doubtful. If the biometric system is doubtful, then it must be opposed," said Nik Aziz.

Taken from Harakah

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