The Zimbabwe government has shortlisted two companies for a contract to provide biometric election services.According to local media, Germany's Dermalog and Chinese company the Laxton Group are in the running for the project.The electoral commission will run pilots on their equipment this week before making a decision, according to New Zimbabwe.comEarlier this year, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) announced that it will no longer be implementing a biometrics-based voting system for the 2018 general elections, according to a report by Zim Eye.However, it has since decided to re-evaluate the plan.Observers are not allowed to ask questions to the two shortlisted bidders – Laxton Group Limited of China and Dermalong Identification Systems of Germany – during the process which will include mock voter registrations at Mabvuku High School in Harare and Murape Secondary School in Seke.The bidders have also been asked not to say anything about the process.Addressing observers who included political party representatives, members of the civil society and religious groups among others in Harare yesterday, ZEC chairperson, Rita Makarau said observers were only allowed to confidentially submit their written observations and recommendations to ZEC.
Companies vying for Zimbabwe electoral contract
