Philippines selects Gemalto biometric technology to verify voters in upcoming elections

The Philippines Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has selected Gemalto to provide a fingerprint biometric voter verification system for the 2019 Philippines National and Local Election to ensure secure and accurate ballot issuance.

The contract also includes Nextix as technology partners in the development, deployment, and support of the system. Gemalto will provide more than 30,000 biometric tablets featuring its Voter Verification System to designated precincts in the country to enable authorities to verify voters’ identity with fingerprints to reduce fraud and cut waiting times for voters.

“Secure, reliable and comprehensive enrollment and ID verification are the foundations of citizen registration, voting processes and border controls,” says COMELEC spokesperson Dir. James Jimenez. “With Gemalto’s Voter Verification System, we are able to streamline not only the verification but moving ahead, our registration processes bring greater convenience to citizens, guaranteeing the quality and confidentiality of data captured. We are excited to deploy this solution – a first for the Philippines government.”

Members of the Board of Elections Inspectors trialed Gemalto’s Voter Registration Verification Tablet, which removes the need for voters to present an identification card, in mock elections in January, according to the announcement. COMELEC’s stated goal is to ensure citizens cannot use several identities to vote multiple times.

“In today’s environment, authorities face numerous challenges. Biometrics serve as the primary data that establishes an individual’s identity is accurately collected and verified,” explains Thales Identity & Biometric Solutions Asia President Tan Teck Lee. “We are proud that the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) chose Gemalto biometric solution to verify the identity of voters. It is an honor to help COMELEC transform the agility and efficiency of the voters’ verification and registration processes.”

Gemalto became Thales Digital Identity and Security with the completion of the merger between the European security giants.

Malawi is also working towards holding its first elections with biometric voter verification later this year.

Article Topics

biometrics  |  Gemalto  |  identity verification  |  Philippines  |  voter registration