The Electoral Commission has clarified the alleged disposal of what the commission describes as 'obsolete Biometric Verification Devices' which has been circulating on social media.

The Electoral Commission, in a press release dated 26th April, 2024 explained that, the said biometric verification devices which were sighted at a recycling plant at Madina, a suburb of Accra, was legally auctioned to a private recycling plant due to how obsolete the machines were.

Portions of the press release stated, "the Electoral Commission wishes to address misleading narratives circulating on social media regarding the disposal of obsolete Biometric Verification Devices ( BVDS) by the Commission."

Per the Commission's release, the machines were seen on the 18th of April at the recycling plant for which the Greater Accra Regional Director of the Commission was promptly informed. The commission added that, the Greater Accra regional director informed the Ghana police service who retrieved ten (10) of the machines. The commission added that, after a thorough investigation, they discovered that the said machines were old and obsolete and have been legally auctioned to the recycling company.

The commission stated, "the obsolete BVDs that were found at the recycling plant, were acquired prior to the
2012 elections and were utilized by the current Commission for the 2019 District Level Elections(DLE). It is important to note that, the previous administration had earmarked and received approval to invest US$56 million for the refurbishment of Biometric Verification Devices(BVDs), Biometric Voter Registration Kits (BVRs), a Data Centre and some new equipment as part of preparations towards the 2018 Referendum and the 2019 District Level Elections (DLE)."

"The Managers of the Commission's Biometric Infrastructure had in several correspondence to the EC, stated that the Biometric equipment were not only obsolete but had reached their End of Life-meaning, they could no longer be maintained. Inspite of this, the then Commission took the decision to reurbish the obsolete BVDs, BVRs, a Data Centre and procure some equipment at the cost of US$56 million with the plan to use them for the 2018 Referendum and the 2019 District Level Elections(DLE)and thereafter replace the refurbished equipment ahead of the 2020 General Elections. The current Commission however cancelled the contract for the total refurbishment, and conducted the 2019 DLE using the available equipment and without exhausting the US$56 nillion."

The Electoral Commission added that, the replacement of the obsolete 2012 equipment with robust new equipment and infrastructure, rather than refurbishing them for a short-term use, was a decision taken by the current Commission to ensure the prudent use of resources as well as to guarantee the integrity of electoral processes and elections in Ghana.

The Electoral Commission is said to have utilised US$51 Million out of the US$56 million approved largely for the refurbishment of obsolete equipment towards the procurement of two (2) new Data Centres, 74,500 new BVDs, and 8,500 new BVR kits.A total of USS68,661.912.67 was used to procure the above listed equipment and data centres.

"The Commission categorically rejects the allegation of sneaking out thousands of devices for recycling at a loss to the State. Such statements are not only false but are designed to mislead the public and cause disaffection for the institution and its leadership. As indicated earlier, the Original Equipment Manufacturers and the Managers of the Commission's biometric infrastructure, HSB Identification BV and STL respectively, informed the former Commission in writing about the obsolete nature of the Commission's Biometric infrastructure."

''They indicated that the Biometric equipment and other equipment in the Data Centre had reached End of Life- meaning they could no longer be serviced as parts for them were no longer available. Indeed, HSB Identification BV, in a letter to the Commission, distanced itself from the planned repairs of the BVRs. Based on these reports and following our experience with the equipment in the 2019 District Level Election (DLE), this Commission in consultation with relevant agencies and in compliance with legal procedures, auctioned the obsolete 2012 equipment," the commission stated.

The EC reiterated that, the auction was legally and transparently conducted, adding that the general public should disregard any misinformation peddled by persons who wish to denigrate and pour scorn on the integrity of the independence of the commission.

See full statement attached