The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has announced its intention to launch an investigation into the Electoral Commission’s (EC) handling of the retirement and disposal of election-related equipment, following allegations of potential misconduct.
This investigation comes on the heels of a petition filed by IMANI Africa, which echoed citizens’ widespread concerns about the Electoral Commission’s (EC) management of limited national resources, sparking allegations of potential mismanagement and wastefulness.
“We wish to refer to your Complaint on the above subject matter lodged with this Commission on 6 May 2024 against the Electoral Commission and Six (6) others and to inform that in pursuant to an initial assessment, the Commission has accepted to investigate the allegations contained therein”.
CHRAJ
Furthermore, in order to further substantiate its investigation, the Commission solicited additional evidence and information from IMANI Africa, seeking to shed more light on the allegations and gather a fuller understanding of the situation.
As such, CHRAJ asked IMANI Africa to provide the specific quantities of Biometric Voter Devices (BVDs) and Biometric Voter Registers (BVRs) purchased by the Electoral Commission in the years 2011, 2018, and 2019, as part of its investigation.
The Commission also asked for information on the number of digital cameras within each Biometric Voter Register (BVR) that may be outdated.
Additionally, CHRAJ sought details on the condition of other components, such as fingerprint scanners, laptops, and other devices that were included in the auction, specifically whether they were new and in good working condition.
The Commission further requested that IMANI Africa provide the total cost of the thousands of Biometric Voter Registration Systems (BVRS) and Biometric Voter Devices (BVDs) that the Electoral Commission procured in 2020.
CHRAJ also asked for a list of names and details of Electoral Commission (EC) officials who potentially engaged in conflict-of-interest activities during the evaluation of the outdated BVMS legacy equipment’s obsolescence.
Further Requests By CHRAJ
Furthermore, CHRAJ sought IMANI Africa to provide a list of vendors and consultants engaged by EC officials, whose work relates to the investigation, to assist in the Commission’s fact-finding and investigative process.
CHRAJ also demanded that IMANI Africa furnish the names and details of consultants affiliated with Fairgreen Limited who had vested interests in promoting the acquisition of an entirely new Biometric Voter Management System (BVMS).
Moreover, the Commission emphasized that the promptness and success of the investigation hinge on IMANI’s timely and thorough provision of the requested information, stressing that a swift response is crucial to facilitating an efficient and effective inquiry.
“Kindly make the said information available to the Commission within ten (10) days upon receipt of this letter to allow for expeditious investigations. Counting on your cooperation”.
CHRAJ
Meanwhile, IMANI Africa, while petitioning CHRAJ, highlighted glaring deficiencies in the Electoral Commission’s management of electoral equipment, casting significant doubts on the Commission’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and compliance with procurement laws and regulations.
IMANI Africa also claimed that the Electoral Commission’s auction of outdated equipment was tainted by improper classification and packaging, potentially allowing buyers to acquire valuable items at significantly low prices, thereby profiteering unjustly.
As such, IMANI called on Parliament and the Ministry of Finance to thoroughly review and scrutinize the Electoral Commission’s proposed budget allocations for the 2024 general elections, in light of the ongoing controversy surrounding the Commission’s procurement and auction practices.
The Electoral Commission, however, rejected IMANI’s allegations, maintaining that it acted in accordance with the law in the auctioning of outdated equipment and the procurement of new machines and that all processes were conducted with integrity and transparency.
The EC maintained that it had obtained the necessary approval from the Ministry of Finance to carry out the financial transactions, and emphasized that the process was conducted in a transparent and accountable manner, with all necessary safeguards in place.
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