Computerising the Voting Process: On the Difficulties and Benefits of Biometric Verification Elections

The use of biometric system of verification is increasingly assuming phenomenal dimensions in contemporary electoral activities across the globe. However, the academic community appears to know very little of the extent to which biometric systems of verification deal with issues of identification in the elections as well as the socio-technical matters considered vital in the computerisation of the electoral process. This paper applies a qualitative research technique by the use of a case study to make sense of difficulties and benefits in biometric elections. The paper advances the holistic idea of not only focusing on the potentials of the biometric technology but also a look beyond biometric technology to as a way of building a comprehensive picture that reflect the complexities of technological intervention in human activity system.