Smartmatic defends Venezuelans arrested with IEBC stickers, dismisses accusations of supplying fault kit
Smartmatic defends Venezuelans arrested with IEBC stickers while dismissing accusations of supplying fault kit.
The company contracted by the IEBC to provide voter identification and results transmission technology on Thursday, 28, July defended its reputation in election process.
The Greek based company defended the three Venezuelans arrested at JKIA with IEBC election materials.
Smartmatic said the three were its full-time employees through a subsidiary company.
However, the company declined to comment on its local partner, Seamless firm citing a non-disclosure agreement.
“Per non-disclosure agreements signed, we don’t comment on our local partners,” Smartmatic said Thursday.
Smartmatic dismisses accusations of supplying fault kit
Smartmatic dismissed accusations of tender irregularities and providing kits that are vulnerable to tampering.
The company was accussed of supplying faulty election technology in the United States, Venezuela, Zambia, Uganda and the Philippines
However, the company said it was a victim of fake news, saying its election technology was above board.
“All these election boards from these countries, and many other countries, have retained Smartmatic for many election cycles, and that speaks volumes about the quality of our work. It’s a sign we are trusted and a sign of a job well done,” Smartmatic told the Nation in an email response signed off by Ms Samira Saba, the firm’s communications director.
“Unfortunately, election processes, in general, are vulnerable to disinformation. Bad actors systematically disseminate lies to undermine elections by inciting fear, anxiety and distrust among voters and stakeholders.
On the election technology, Smartmatic says it was fully prepared to identify voters and transmit results.
“Regarding the devices, poll workers will count votes and fill the forms manually. Then, they will take a picture of the form and transmit the images to the public site. The devices won’t tally, but transmit the images to the public site. It is important to tell you this is a process requested by the IEBC,” Smartmatic said.
It added: “The most important role the tablets will play on Election Day will be in the authentication of voters.”
Also read,
IEBC admits links to Seamless company
Chebukati evades critical issues raised by DCI in his response over the Venezuelans’ saga
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