Biometric technology for voter identification: The experience in Ghana

Abstract

Our study examines how and why Ghana’sfirst attempt to use biometric technology for voteridentification and verification in its 2012 general elections failed. We employ activity theory as theanalytical lens and interpretive case study as the methodology. Ourfindings show that theeffectiveness of biometric technology to provide reliable identification does not depend solely onits technical qualities but also on real-time connectivity between registration centres and anelectronic national register. Furthermore, the electoral officials need to be trained intensively tooperate the machines and given guidance on how to handle situations when breakdowns occur.While biometric technology does introduce powerful capabilities, it is just one piece of a complexhuman activity system.