The biometric voter list (BVL) will be used as the voter list in the upcoming six provincial elections.
The ministry of provincial government and institutional strengthening confirmed this last Friday.
Provincial elections are due to be held in Central Islands, Guadalcanal, Isabel, Malaita, Rennell and Bellona, and Temotu provinces later this year.
The ministry’s permanent secretary (PS), Stanley Dick Pirione said the ministry has two options for provincial elections: it can use the voter list prepared under the Local Government Act, or it can use the voter list prepared under the National Electoral Provisions Act.
“Given the amount of work that has gone in to preparing the BVL, the ministry is confident that using the BVL is the best way forward for a fair and accurate provincial election cycle.”
The PS added that MPGIS is proud to support the work of the electoral commission in making the upcoming elections the most transparent and clean in our country’s history.
The electoral commission is still in the process of finalising the BVL. The exhibitions, objections, and omissions phase will start soon and this will also include regional lists.
In terms of voting, the MPGIS also confirmed that biometric voting will not be introduced for the provincial elections. Voting for provincial elections will be carried out using the normal ballot process as used in previous elections.
“We are currently working with relevant authorities on the legal issues surrounding the provincial elections and the use of the Biometric voters list. Once we got the legal clearance, we may then proceed with the provincial elections, after the national general elections, later on this year,” Mr Pirione said.
