LA PAZ, Bolivia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NEC Argentina, a subsidiary of giant Japanese IT multinational NEC Corporation, announced it has selected Smartmatic as strategic partner to develop a biometric registration system for the Bolivian National Electoral Court (known as the CNE). NEC Argentina’s selection of Smartmatic is aimed at adding still more technical prowess to help in its commitment to completely revamp Bolivia’s voter registration system.

"It is gratifying that a world leader in biometric registration like NEC has chosen Smartmatic for its technology and support capabilities, toward achieving a transparent biometric register in record time. We are honored to take part in this historic enhancement of the Bolivian voting system”, said Antonio Mugica, CEO, Smartmatic.

THE CNE’S VOTER REGISTRATION GOALS

The Bolivian CNE has set an important and dramatic voter registration goal. Over a period of three months (August to October 2009), the CNE hopes to register approximately 4 million Bolivian voters, including Bolivians living abroad in Argentina, the United States, Spain and Brazil.

A new electoral law, recently approved by the Congress of Bolivia, mandates the use of biometric registration to increase security and protect the rights of voters. The new registration, which will include digital data such as citizens’ fingerprints, pictures and signatures, will first prove its usefulness in the December 2009 Bolivian general elections.

To implement the new registration process, the CNE is expected to use 3.000 new registration stations, comprised of 1,700 stationary and 1,300 mobile stations.

DAILY REGISTRATION: POTENTIAL OF 60,000 PLUS VOTERS

To support a potential daily registration of 60.000 people, NEC Argentina and Smartmatic will work together as follows:

-- As project leader, NEC Argentina will provide the equipment to be used in the data capture stations, such as computers and fingerprint scanners.

-- In addition, NEC will supply its cutting-edge recognition and fingerprint duplicate detection software (AFIS).

-- Smartmatic will be in charge of supplying peripheral equipment and technical staff training; and of the logistics of the whole event, including equipment allocation and staff to the various CNE offices in the country.

WHY SMARTMATIC?

NEC turned to Smartmatic due to its experience in managing elections in countries with complex geographies, such as Venezuela and the Philippines, under intense time pressure. Bolivia’s geography, including high elevation sites and steep mountainous landscapes, presents an added degree of difficulty for equipment distribution and deployment.

“NEC selected Smartmatic for three powerful reasons: its successful experience in mission-critical projects, its cutting-edge technology and its team, one of the most qualified worldwide to deal with this kind of project”, said Jorge Vargas, Marketing & International Business Director, NEC Argentina.

About Smartmatic

Smartmatic is a multinational company that designs and deploys technological solutions aimed at helping governments fulfill, in the most efficient way, their commitments with their citizens. It is one of the largest cutting-edge technology suppliers, with a wide and proven experience in the United States, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Smartmatic aims to help societies become more efficient and transparent, through technological innovations and it is responsible for several top and advanced innovations available in the market around three business areas: electronic auditable voting systems, intelligent and integrated security platforms, and advanced solutions for people registration and authentication for a wide range of government applications.

About NEC Argentina

NEC Argentina operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of NEC Corporation. A pioneer in the integration of computer systems and communications, NEC Argentina offers solutions to different vertical segments, being today a Technological Development Center in government integrated solutions for Latin-America.

Established in Buenos Aires since 1978, NEC Argentina is one of the leader suppliers of the technological area with a vast experience in the development and setting up of integral solutions like e-gov, healthcare, education, biometrics, security and convergent solutions. The company has set up successful projects in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Venezuela, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Mexico as well as in different parts of the world, through NEC Corporation.