Country Director and Head of Pacific Regional Programme & Policy for UNDP
Pacific Office in Fiji, Mr. Bakhodir Burkhanov (Centre left) posed for a photo
flanked by UNDP officials.
THE Acting Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Maelanga has told the Country Director and Head of Pacific Regional Programme & Policy for UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, Mr Bakhodir Burkhanov that the Democratic Coalition for Change Government (DCCG) appreciates the continuous support UNDP renders to the country.
During a courtesy call made to the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet last Friday, September 22, 2017, one of the topics discussed include the ongoing partnership between UNDP and the Solomon Islands Government on electoral cycle strengthening.
Mr Burkhanov said his organisation stands ready to assist the government in the review of the current Biometric voting system.
In response, Maelanga said one amongst the many projects that the government will continue to seek international assistance with is the improvement to the Biometric system first used during the 2014 National General Election.
UNDP assured the acting Prime Minister its continued commitment to assisting the government in this important endeavour, particularly in view of the first post-RAMSI departure general election.
The meeting also agreed on the need to ensure adequate financial and technical capacity of the electoral management body.
Burkhanov reiterated that there is opportunity to amplify the biometric system by linking various existing databases such as the civil registry and UNDP can bring technical support based on its support elsewhere.
Maelanga, also stated that the Government, through its responsible Ministry is working hard to ensure citizens of Solomon Islands who have not reached legal age to vote during the 2014 National General Elections are taken into the new registration list so that they too can vote during the upcoming general elections in 2019.
–OPMC PRESS
