Possible Causes of Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) systems Failure

  

Date Posted: 3/11/2013 7:57:00 AM

Posted By: SimonMburu  Membership Level: Silver  Total Points: 838

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The Biometric Voter Registration BVR faced some challenges in the just concluded general elections. The system was intended to register voters and later used to identify them during the voting process. The poll results for every station were supposed to be transmitted electronically to the National Tally Center at the Bomas of Kenya, but the system was not 100 percent effective forcing IEBC (Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission) to embark on manual alternatives.

Below are some of the possible causes for the failure of the new electoral system.

1. Use of inappropriate changeover method. Changeover method is the technique used to shift gears from the old/current system to the new developed/proposed system. There are four changeover methods namely; pilot changeover method, phased changeover method, direct changeover method and parallel changeover method. IEBC embarked on direct changeover method whereby the current system is eliminated completely to pave way for the new system. The disadvantage of this method is that if the new system fails, the whole process is broken down and no further production will take place. The method is considered risky by many system analysts.

2. Faulty Hardware. The BVR kits purchased from Canada might have been faulty without the knowledge of the IEBC officers. Some of the kits worked but majority of them went dead causing anxiety among Kenyans as the tallying process prolonged.

3. Poor fit between organization and system. Perhaps Kenya is not yet ready for electronic voter registration and poll results transmission. Majority of polling stations were unable to transmit their poll results due to poor network coverage in remote areas among other technological challenges.

4. User error/Inadequate user training. Perhaps the commission didn't dedicate much attention in training its employees on how to operate the systems and methods of troubleshooting in case an error occurs. Inadequate

training of users might make the system look faulty therefore expert system analysts suggest that users be given proper training before an organization embraces a new system.

5. Wrong assumptions with regard to system requirements. Perhaps the system experts made the wrong assumptions in installing the correct compatible software and hardware with regard to the system requirements. Systems are very delicate because compatibility matters and should be given extra priority otherwise the whole system will fail. Perhaps the mobile hand gadget for sending the results was incompatible with the system.

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