Biometric voter registration to be introduced at the upcoming national general election at the end of this year is a highly advanced biometric information system designed to address the need of a robust and secure voter registration and identification system.
Dr Sikua made the call after learning that the proposed commencement of the biometric voter registration on Thursday 27, 2014 would be delayed till March due to government funding problem.
He said he was astounded to learn of the delay when Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has just announced on Tuesday at the National Prayer Breakfast that the foremost priority of the NCRA Government for 2014 is ensuring a clean and fair election this year.
“I find it ironical that the Prime Minister when outlining the NCRA Government’s 10 priorities for 2014 stated a clean and fair election as the foremost of all when it cannot afford to give money to commence the biometric voter registration on the initial proposed date,” Dr Sikua said.
“We certainly cannot have a clean and fair election this year without a robust and secure voter registration system in place.
“The NCRA Government must bear in mind that the current 9th Parliament dissolves on the 8th of September and moving the commencement of this new voter registration system to begin in March may hamper its completion in good time before the polling date.
“This biometric voter registration task is strenuous and therefore requires ample time to be completed,” Dr Sikua said.
The Opposition leader said he had already told the NCRA Government during the debate on the 2014 budget to do everything it can to support the National Electoral Commission with funds to ensure the proposed biometric voter registration runs smoothly but his advice fell on deaf ears.
As to the nine other priorities of the NCRA Government for 2014, the Opposition leader said their implementation is in serious doubt because the Darcy Lilo-led NCRA Government has proven beyond all reasonable doubt that it does not put money where its mouth is.
“All in all the NCRA Government’s priorities for 2014 are mere political rhetoric attempted at restoring public confidence in an unpopular government.”
Furthermore, Dr Sikua expressed grave disappointment over the Prime Minister’s non inclusion on the list of priorities the tabling of the Federal Constitution as well as completion of all national reconciliations which he said remain a major issue for most provinces in the country, especially Guadalcanal.
The Electoral Commission last week issued a statement saying due to lack of government funding, the voter registration scheduled to start this Thursday has been moved to March.
Quelle/Source: Islands Business, 24.01.2014
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