10 BVDs found at recycling company were obsolete and legally auctioned – EC

The Electoral Commission (EC) has explained that some 10 Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs) found at a recycling company in Madina were obsolete devices which had been legally auctioned to the company.

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The Electoral Commission in a statement disclosed that the obsolete BVDs were acquired before the 2012 elections and were utilized by the current Commission for the 2019 District Level Elections (DLE).

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To ensure the prudent use of resources and the integrity of electoral processes, the Commission explained that it decided to replace the obsolete 2012 equipment with new equipment and infrastructure.

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The Electoral Commission (EC) wishes to address misleading narratives circulating on social media regarding the disposal of obsolete Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs) by the Commission.

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Upon inspection, they were found to be old and obsolete 2012 BVDs which had been legally auctioned to a recycling company.

The obsolete BVDs that were found at the recycling plant, were acquired before the 2012 elections and were utilized by the current Commission for the 2019 District Level Elections (DLE).

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It is therefore misleading to share photos of obsolete 2012 BVDs, and without providing their technical status and suitability, create the impression to the unsuspecting public that devices are in “perfect working condition” and were only discarded to make way for a “procurement gig” by the Electoral Commission.