The Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) responsible for Corporate Services, Dr. Bossman Asare, has reassured the public that the missing laptops from the Commission do not harbor sensitive data that could endanger the integrity of the 2024 elections.
Speaking during a press conference convened on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, Asare aimed to dispel misunderstandings regarding the reported disappearance of the devices.
Contrary to assertions by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) regarding missing Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs) belonging to the EC, Asare clarified that only five laptops belonging to the Commission were missing, not the BVDs as alleged.
The matter surfaced when the Minority caucus in Parliament raised concerns on Tuesday, March 19, claiming that seven BVDs had vanished from the EC’s premises, leading to calls for a probe by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Nevertheless, Dr. Asare reaffirmed that all biometric devices under the Commission’s custody were securely stored, ensuring preparedness for the upcoming elections.
He assured the populace that the missing laptops contained no crucial data that could jeopardize the electoral process.
“We are fully prepared for the election, and I can confirm that five laptops have been stolen. These laptops do not contain any sensitive information. They do not pose any risks,” he said.
“BVDs are used for verification, while BVRs are for registration. The two devices must be connected for use. If someone steals the BVDs, they cannot be utilized,” he explained.