The Electoral Commission (EC) has refuted claims that it spent $150 million on acquiring new Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs) and Biometric Voters Registration Kits (BVRs) in 2020.
In a statement signed by Fred Tetteh, the Deputy Director of Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation at the EC, it was clarified that the actual expenditure amounted to $68,661,912.67.
This sum covered the cost of 74,500 BVDs, and 8,500 BVRs, as well as the establishment of a new data centre and a data recovery centre.
The statement emphasised that the procurement of these devices and centres was conducted under the current administration of the EC.
It further noted that this procurement resulted in a significant saving of US$57,918,270 compared to the prices proposed by the previous administration for similar BVDs and BVRs.
This clarification comes amidst public concern over the alleged high expenditure on the new biometric devices and registration kits.
“Please take note that the cost of refurbishing one BVR kit as approved in 2018 was $3,565 while the cost of a new BVR Kit purchased by the current administration in 2020 was $3,423.38.
“As Ghanaians, would we have preferred to refurbish old BYRs at a unit cost higher than a new one?” the statement said.
The EC clarified that the previous administration allocated $15 million for the data centre and biometric system upgrade.
Under the current administration, the EC spent $6,161,869.69 for a new data centre, a new data recovery centre, and associated services, effectively saving the country $9 million.
The EC urged the public to disregard reports alleging that it spent $150 million to acquire BVDs and BVRs in 2020.
Source:: Ernest K. Arhinful