OSCE Mission to BiH Supports Pilot Project 3 - Biometric Identification and Voter Authentication
Sarajevo, 2 October 2024 – As part of the project “Improving the Integrity of Electoral Processes in 2024 and 2026 in BiH in accordance with the recommendations of the ODIHR and international standards,” supported by the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Kingdom of Norway, the OSCE Mission to BiH has assisted the Central Election Commission of BiH in the implementation of Pilot Project 3 - Biometric Identification and Voter Authentication which will be conducted at all 138 polling stations in the Brčko District of BiH. To facilitate the implementation of the pilot project, the OSCE Mission has purchased 150 biometric identification and authentication devices, along with the necessary software, on a "turnkey" basis, valued at over 300,000 Euros. A formal handover ceremony of the equipment and software between the Central Election Commission of BiH and the OSCE Mission to BiH was organized today.
The OSCE Mission, in collaboration with the Central Election Commission of BiH, organized training for operators on the biometric identification and authentication devices and the accompanying software. Additionally, the Mission supported a media campaign to inform voters in the Brčko District of BiH about the biometric identification and authentication process.
Final testing of the devices and software was conducted on 23 September 2024, at the headquarters of the Central Election Commission of BiH. A demonstration of the device usage was held in Brčko on 27 and 28 September 2024, allowing dozens of citizens to try the devices and successfully complete the biometric identification and authentication process.
The biometric identification and voter authentication project will contribute to enhancing the integrity of the electoral process, preventing electoral fraud, identity misuse, and multiple voting.