Does the use of a biometric system guarantee an acceptable election’s outcome? Evidence from Ghana’s 2012 election

Abstract

The article examines how the deployment of a biometric technology in Ghana’s 2012 election ended in confusion and put the legitimacy of the election outcome in jeopardy. Analysing data drawn from 100 interviews and 500 surveys on the extent to which the use of a biometric voter registration and electronic voter verification technology impacted the election’s outcome, the article found that the biometric system stimulated high voter participation and confidence in the electoral process; and served as a forensic measure against election fraud such as impersonation and multiple voting. However, the problem caused by electronic voter verification malfunction, human error and policy manipulation by polling officials neutralised the efficacy of the biometric technology as an instrument for achieving an election outcome.