Creating a Secure, Scalable Voter Registration System in Sierra Leone
3,374,258
Voter Registrations
83%
Voter Participation
Cost-Effective
Scalable, and reusable for future elections
To strengthen electoral integrity ahead of upcoming general elections, Sierra Leone's National Electoral Commission (NEC) launched a project to implement a biometric Voter ID system to modernise the country's electoral roll. The initiative directly targeted longstanding vulnerabilities that had undermined public confidence in previous elections, including widespread duplicate registrations and persistent identity fraud. As Sierra Leone prepared for its fifth democratic election since emerging from an 11-year civil war, establishing a transparent and credible electoral process became essential not only for legitimizing the democratic transition but for fostering the national unity and institutional trust necessary for sustained peace and development.
Project
Solution: Voter ID
Region: Sierra Leone
Year: 2023
Reliability Issues Compromise Election Integrity
Recognising critical deficiencies in Sierra Leone's electoral infrastructure, the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone partnered with the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) to develop a robust, secure Voter ID registration system. The existing election technology had proven inadequate for the nation's democratic needs, struggling to accommodate Sierra Leone's expanding electorate. Persistent technical failures had eroded system reliability and threatened not only operational efficiency but also the fundamental credibility of Sierra Leone's democratic processes, making technological modernisation an urgent priority for safeguarding electoral integrity.
“The timely and inclusive electoral reform laid a sound basis for democratic elections in 2023”
Evin Incir
Chief Observer and Member of the European Parliament
Building Secure, Scalable VOTER ID Solutions
Laxton was selected to architect and implement a comprehensive end-to-end biometric voter registration (BVR) solution that would address these systemic challenges. The technology platform featured precision fingerprint scanners engineered for high-fidelity data capture, ensuring reliable authentication and verification across diverse environmental conditions. Advanced voter registration software seamlessly integrated HD camera systems with biometric scanners, creating an intuitive workflow that streamlined data entry while implementing sophisticated algorithms to detect and prevent duplicate registrations. At the system's core, a centralized data management platform provided military-grade encryption, secure data consolidation, and automated voter list generation capabilities.
Beyond technology deployment, Laxton managed the complete infrastructure implementation, including secure server installation, rigorous system testing, and comprehensive performance validation. The engagement extended to extensive capacity building through targeted training programs for local partners, transferring critical technical knowledge and operational expertise to ensure sustainable, independent system management for current and future electoral cycles.
Identity Management Software Athena Safeguards Voter IDs
The solution's biometric capabilities delivered unprecedented precision in fingerprint capture, matching, and feature extraction, creating an unassailable foundation for citizen eligibility verification while systematically eliminating duplicate registrations that had previously undermined electoral credibility. Laxton's Athena system functioned as the mission-critical backbone for all voter registration and data management operations. Its sophisticated API framework established secure, encrypted communication channels with the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) database, enabling seamless import and real-time verification of national identification records across the entire citizen registry.
The platform's Software Development Kits (SDKs) provided unprecedented customisation capabilities, allowing the system to be precisely calibrated to Sierra Leone's electoral requirements and regulatory framework. This included streamlined processes for registering first-time voters, automated data synchronisation across distributed registration devices, and adaptive workflows that could accommodate local operational constraints. The flexibility and interoperability of these integrated components culminated in a cost-effective, highly reliable electoral infrastructure that not only met immediate registration needs but established a scalable foundation for Sierra Leone's democratic future.
User Acceptance Testing Validates Functionality
Rigorous User Acceptance Testing validated that the integrated solution exceeded client specifications and international quality benchmarks for electoral technology. The comprehensive testing protocol systematically verified core software functionality, authenticated robust security protocols, and validated critical operational features including advanced filter criteria, customizable data fields, and enhanced search capabilities that would prove essential for field operations. Following successful initial validation, identified refinements were immediately implemented and subjected to intensive retesting on the central server infrastructure to ensure optimal performance and stability.
Once system integrity was confirmed, the validated configuration underwent precise replication and deployment across more than 2,000 registration devices nationwide, establishing a unified technological foundation that would enable Sierra Leone's most comprehensive and secure voter registration process in its democratic history.
Local Setup Ensures Readiness
Comprehensive test were completed for all devices destined for Sierra Leone. Upon arrival in-country, authorized personnel executed final software updates through secure USB connections, ensuring seamless application performance across all units. The deployment phase involved close collaboration with local partners to establish optimal device functionality. This included power management setup, complete software installation, and rigorous performance testing.
Following successful configuration, devices were distributed across multiple regions. Security protocols were implemented at the hardware level, creating a locked-down environment that restricts device operation exclusively to approved registration software. This ensures both system integrity and prevents unauthorized access or software modification during field deployment.
Building Trainer Capacity for System Success
Laxton conducted a training programme using a “train-the-trainer” approach, which enabled local partners and trainers to gain the skills needed to support and maintain the system independently. Before training, Laxton meticulously completed all software testing and system preparation to ensure a seamless transition. The three-day session equipped the trainers with the expertise to handle system functions and manage daily operations. This approach fostered self-sufficiency, allowing the local team to conduct ongoing system maintenance and updates.
Cost-Effective Redeployment for Nationwide Rollout
Operating across 16 districts, the solution leveraged cost-effective measures by using existing laptops with national ID data imported from the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) database. By utilising pre-existing equipment, significant cost savings were achieved while still meeting data integrity needs. Each device was loaded with the necessary data, enabling both verification of existing records and registration of new voters.
Following local registration at each centre, the equipment was securely returned for data extraction and prepared for redeployment to other areas. This modular, redeployment strategy allowed cost-effective scaling across the country. The collected data was then synchronised to a central server, followed by a manual consolidation, verification, and accuracy check, ensuring readiness for poll book generation containing images and individual voter data.
99.6% Validity Rate in Election Votes
3,374,258 individuals were successfully registered for the general elections held on June 24, 2023. 83% of registered voters cast their ballots, demonstrating a high voter turnout. There were 2,800,691 total votes of which 2,789,808 were valid, representing an impressive 99.61% validity rate. Only 0.39% were invalid or blank. The election concluded with President Julius Maada Bio winning re-election, securing 56% of the vote.
Sierra Leone’s successful voter registration system laid a robust foundation for the election. With Laxton's software and process framework, Sierra Leone now has a scalable system ready to support additional capabilities, such as face capture for future phases. Laxton’s involvement has empowered the NEC to conduct secure, efficient, and credible voter registration, ensuring every citizen’s voice is recognised.
