Kenya to opt for Satellite technology for this years elections

Nairobi, Kenya,14 March 2007- This year the Electoral Commission of Kenya will assess the progress of the polls by tapping data and images from the American and Russian satellites in space and offer solutions to any hitches according to this news report.

The technology, the first of its kind in Africa, will enable the Kenyan commission to intervene in areas where problems might occur without necessarily traveling there. Using the Global Positioning System (GPS), digital cartography and remote sensing, the officials can precisely identify where ballot papers are.

The technology has been developed by the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development; an international research organization based in Nairobi, Kenya The centre provides surveying, mapping and remote sensing services. Speaking during the launch of Global Navigational Satellite System, a permanent reference station yesterday, Lands minister Kivutha Kibwana said systematic recording of information could promote effective decision making.The minister said the station would provide skills in satellite data processing and dissemination.

Source : http://somalinet.com