IEC awaits Cabinet decision on EVM paper trail

Voters wait patiently to cast their ballot during a previous election
Voters wait patiently to cast their ballot during a previous election

In the aftermath of Kenya elections held on August 8, and their subsequent nullification by the Supreme Court of that country, Mmegi caught up with the Independent Electoral Commission of Botswana (IEC) to explain further the animal called the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). Staff Writer BAME PIET had an exclusive interview with the secretary of the IEC, Keireng Zuze

 Mmegi: Can you please explain the distinction between the use of Electronic Voting Machines used in the United States of America, Venezuela and recently in Kenya?

KZ: I may not be able to tell you about EVMs used in Venezuela and US, but what I can clarify is with regard to what was used during the Kenya elections. Indeed the Electoral Amendment Act of 2016 has introduced the Electronic Voting Machines, but we have to understand that Kenya does not use EVMs they continue to use ballot papers. What they use is two machines for Voter Verification/biometric machine that verifies the identity of voters. The other machine that they use is specifically for transmission of results. They continue to use ballot boxes.

Editor's Comment
Our digital safety is in our hands

That sounds like good news. But the report also warns that this may simply be because our digital economy is still young, not because we are safe. As more people shop, bank and pay online, criminals will follow.We Batswana do not need a report to tell us that danger is real. Many of us have heard of or fallen victim to KYC scams. A caller impersonates your bank or mobile money provider. They say they need to “verify” your account. They ask...

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