tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post5046058570485113215..comments2024-02-24T06:10:42.255-08:00Comments on Congo Siasa: Response by Zetes to allegations of fraudJason Stearnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454449854081540397noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-36588990721072187832011-10-06T04:57:08.102-07:002011-10-06T04:57:08.102-07:00I was just wondering assuming the so called audit ...I was just wondering assuming the so called audit of the electoral voter register meant to be carried out by the opposition parties in-conjunction with CENI and other concerned parties does indeed bear fruit and happens to allay fears of fake voters within the database.<br /><br />Secondly CENI has indicated that vote counting will be done at the polling stations, then maybe many of us are jumping the gun here by accusing or insinuating CENI together with the government has all manner of schemes to rig the up coming elections.<br /><br />Thats just my 2 cents....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-49660037638466269362011-10-05T18:54:50.217-07:002011-10-05T18:54:50.217-07:00Entirely agree with Anand.
If this is what is con...Entirely agree with Anand.<br /><br />If this is what is considered a rebuttal by a private company than we are really in for a very long and potentially painful ride to election day.<br /><br />This reminds me of the Enron scandal. Every time the company's bankers, accountants, and attorneys viewed the firms books and deals, they never found a thing. But as Enron's massive theft began to grate on its operations, it only then became clear just how fraudulent their operations were because they were so many of these deals were off the books. <br /><br />Zetes is using a similar argument that Enron's bankers and accountants used which essentially amounts to "trust us, we know what we are doing because this is all we do". <br /><br />That isn't good enough.<br /><br />There needs to be an outside audit of the rolls to ensure their accuracy. A good "second opinion" is always useful and is particularly so given this very fragile state. <br /><br />I doubt this well happen given the DRC likely has no money to pay for such an audit so, as stated in other comments on this blog, <b>CENI needs to clearly explain what its procedures as it relates to its anti-fraud efforts- or in other-wards simply become much more transparent.</b>. <br /><br />I entirely understand that the idea of independent, non-partisan, transparent, and fully accountable institutions of the state are very new for the Congolese. Well, here's a chance at learning how those work which is critical if this nation and its democracy are to thrive. As it stands, Congolese democracy is a frame. The DRC has elections and that's more or less it. It is beyond time for some "walls", and "nails", and a "foundation" to secure this house and CENI (and the Media Council), like it or not, is a major component that will get the DRC that much closer to a democracy ruled by law and institutions- as opposed to mortal men with guns. <br /><br />- MelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-63894280984631031902011-10-05T15:08:40.099-07:002011-10-05T15:08:40.099-07:00It would be interesting to see the Zetes document ...It would be interesting to see the Zetes document that Jason Stearns references in his original post. To the casual observer, that might help to clear things up a bit. It is totally understandable if Zetes feels unfairly targeted or portrayed in local Congolese press, especially if conjecture has been transformed into fact. However, the original post could hardly be called irresponsible as it doesn't make any hard and fast claims, but rather reports possible fraud. It doesn't even directly imply that Zetes is negligent. In this response, the total sum of the many technical reasons that are given for why fraud is not possible in centralization systems seems to be, "it couldn't happen because it just couldn't happen." It seems possible that any type of corruption at any level could derail even the best intentioned data gathering and processing mechanisms. Perhaps an audit from another party would be a wise. Not to "keep an eye on Zetes" who are indeed performing an important function, but so the elections can indeed be viewed as a fair and transparent by all.Anandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11428835613475519655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209670742820403516.post-44111521555538709182011-10-05T11:52:32.982-07:002011-10-05T11:52:32.982-07:00Just wanted to highlight for folks this press rele...Just wanted to highlight for folks this press release.<br /><br />http://www.pr.com/press-release/358441<br /><br />Greensoft Technologies, a firm in California, has a new system to help companies with Sec 1502 of Dodd Frank.<br /><br />At the moment, most companies are working with Enrst and Young- which has considerable capacity given they assisted with the Kimberly Process. But, ofcourse, that's a hefty consulting fee for tracking and tagging. <br /><br />Thanks for this Zetes update.<br /><br />ThomasAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com