N.Luvsanjav: 2,500 voting machines needed for election
On Wednesday, the Standing Committee on State Structure discussed the first version of a draft law to exempt electronic voting machines purchased by the state from customs taxes and the VAT. The standing committee approved further discussion in Parliament. Our correspondent spoke with N.Luvsanjav, the head of the Election General Committee (EGC) about the new voting machines.
Q: What is the total cost of the voting machines that would be exempted from customs taxes and the VAT?
A: The machines will cost a total of MNT 3.7 billion, according to estimates.
Q: Would it be possible to hold the local settlement and parliamentary elections at the same time? Do the machines have the capacity to hold the two elections simultaneously?
A: An American company has stated that it would be possible by using special software. But it would be a time-consuming issue, and if legislation was passed with a short lead time for the committee, there could be difficulties.
Q: How much is each machine? The state budget allocated MNT 24 billion for the purchase of the machines.
A: Each machine costs USD 3,200.
Q: How many machines will the committee buy? At a meeting of the standing committee it was mentioned that several extra machines could be purchased.
A: We expect to buy 2,500 machines but we have not made a final determination. Generally, 2,500 machines would be adequate to run elections. Election units will be established soon and the committee will decide whether to purchase additional machines based on the number of units and the number of voters.
Q: How will you train employees to work with the machines?
A: Training of employees who will work with the machines will be organized and trained employees will be granted certificates before the election. The committee has concluded an agreement with the American company, and before training begins the committee will decide technological issues, such as software.
Q: Justice and Internal Affairs Minister Ts.Nyamdorj stated that the committee should do experiments, such as running a “test” election. What experiments will be conducted?
A: In accordance with the law on election, the election will not be run without testing the equipment first. Parliament has asked us to experiment with holding local and parliamentary elections at same time. The committee has suggested it to the American company, and experimental software would take at least a month and a half to prepare. So that experiment would take time and it could pose challenges.
Q: What is the total cost of the voting machines that would be exempted from customs taxes and the VAT?
A: The machines will cost a total of MNT 3.7 billion, according to estimates.
Q: Would it be possible to hold the local settlement and parliamentary elections at the same time? Do the machines have the capacity to hold the two elections simultaneously?
A: An American company has stated that it would be possible by using special software. But it would be a time-consuming issue, and if legislation was passed with a short lead time for the committee, there could be difficulties.
Q: How much is each machine? The state budget allocated MNT 24 billion for the purchase of the machines.
A: Each machine costs USD 3,200.
Q: How many machines will the committee buy? At a meeting of the standing committee it was mentioned that several extra machines could be purchased.
A: We expect to buy 2,500 machines but we have not made a final determination. Generally, 2,500 machines would be adequate to run elections. Election units will be established soon and the committee will decide whether to purchase additional machines based on the number of units and the number of voters.
Q: How will you train employees to work with the machines?
A: Training of employees who will work with the machines will be organized and trained employees will be granted certificates before the election. The committee has concluded an agreement with the American company, and before training begins the committee will decide technological issues, such as software.
Q: Justice and Internal Affairs Minister Ts.Nyamdorj stated that the committee should do experiments, such as running a “test” election. What experiments will be conducted?
A: In accordance with the law on election, the election will not be run without testing the equipment first. Parliament has asked us to experiment with holding local and parliamentary elections at same time. The committee has suggested it to the American company, and experimental software would take at least a month and a half to prepare. So that experiment would take time and it could pose challenges.
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