Releasing serial numbers of BVR kits poses substantial risk to voter registration processes

The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has declined the opposition National Democratic Congress' (NDC) request to publish serial numbers of Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits being used for the ongoing voter registration exercise.

In a 4-page statement dated May 9, the EC said releasing such sensitive information could compromise the security and integrity of the registration process.

"Releasing these serial numbers to any external parties, including political entities, poses a substantial risk to the security and integrity of our registration processes," the statement read in part.

The commission cited several reasons why disclosing the serial numbers could damage the voter registration exercise and elections as a whole.

"The serial numbers are integral to the security framework of the BVR Kits. Disclosure of these numbers could potentially allow unauthorized access to the devices, thereby compromising integrity of the voter registration process," stressed the EC.

It continued that knowledge of the serial numbers could enable "targeted attacks on specific BVR kits located at certain parts of the country, thereby causing chaos, political conflict and operational challenges."

While acknowledging the need for transparency, the EC insisted that publishing serial numbers of individual BVR kits deployed across the country for the massive biometric capture of eligible voters could undermine the security and integrity of the process.

It assured however that several measures including presence of party agents at registration centers and provision of provisional and final registers to parties ensured proper oversight and accountability in the registration exercise.

The EC said it has nothing to hide but preventing security risks should take priority in this instance over individual stakeholder interests.

It called for cooperation from all political parties in conducting a credible and violence-free registration period and elections.