Govt seeks voting help - Electronic Voter Registration (EVR) System

The Government has written to all the diplomatic missions in the country, seeking their help with financial contributions towards the electronic voter registration (EVR) system for the 2014 general elections.
This was revealed to the Fiji Sun by the Attorney-General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.


Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the Government had briefed all diplomatic corps and other agencies in the country last September regarding the flaws of the 2006 elections, which had been identified by the European Union.
He said they had received a number of applications from various companies who had shown interest in providing Fiji with the electronic voter registration equipment.


“Two days before the Christmas holidays, we called in all the diplomatic corps and other agencies again and gave them a thorough presentation of all companies applied and told them about the one preferred by us,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
He further revealed that the vendor which the Fijian Government has deemed most suitable has 20 years of experience in electronic voter registration internationally


“Few days ago, we wrote to all the diplomatic corps and asked them if they wished to contribute financially towards the EVR. We have given them 14 days to respond to the letter,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
Close to $6 million has been already allocated for in the 2012 budget to start the electronic voter registration process.
In terms of how much has been asked from each diplomatic corps, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said, it was an open letter and the Government would now wait for their response.


Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the total cost of the entire process would be determined after final consultations.
“The company has given us an indicative cost of the entire process but the actual cost will be determined after final consultation with the preferred vendor.”


More details about the company and the costs involved will be revealed soon.
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Electronic Voting Makes it Easy to Weigh in On Elections

Voting is a very important practice that is used for a variety of reasons. When most people think of voting elections come to mind. In order to vote in the United States people are required to possess the voter’s registration card. This particular card allows individuals to vote in a specific area in their state.
The voting process can be performed when an individual is away from their home state. However, the person will have to submit an absentee ballot in order to participate in the voting process. Sometimes these absentee ballots can be miscounted resulting in errors.

In an effort to avoid additional issues with ballots, the concept of e-voting was introduced. Understanding e-voting is necessary for anyone that is an active participant in the voting process. E-voting allows people to select various candidates electronically.

This differs greatly from the paper ballot system where individuals select particular candidates as noted on a piece of paper. Individuals that participate in the e-voting process are able to clearly select their preferred candidates quickly and efficiently.

Voting electronically helps people to avoid making unintentional errors in their selection process. There are a number of states that utilize e-voting. These states have taken steps to help educate the public above the e-voting process. Understanding e-voting is important for people in states that utilize this voting method.

In states where e-voting is practiced, there are usually voting assistants on hand at voter registration sites. Since there are some individuals that are not as technologically and electronically well informed as others, these assistants stand nearby ready to assist those individuals that encounter issues casting their vote through an e-voting machine.

Before a local election day, many jurisdictions send out pamphlets, post flyers and update their web sites with information about the e-voting process. This is to help individuals familiarize themselves with the new machines. Understanding e-voting allows people  to effectively participate in the election process.