We were not hacked, IEBC says

 

The national polls agency has denied its database was hacked.

A statement from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission said no hacker acquired personal details of registered voters from a county in western Kenya.

“The commission would like to clarify that this information is not factual. The commission's register of voters is kept in a biometric voter registration system which is hosted on several servers,” the statement signed by chairman Wafula Chebukati said.

He said what is currently being reported in the media is not data obtained through hacking of the BVR system but possibly from entities that may have legitimately obtained from the commission through a formal request and upon payment of requisite fees.

Chebukati added that the system has been designed to ensure integrity and confidentiality.

“Since installation and commissioning of the system eight years ago, the BVR system that hosts the register of voters used during elections has never been hacked because the service is not connected to the open internet.”

In addition, the rest of the commissions and higher internal network are behind a high-security firewall system.

Chebukati said in accordance with the access to information as provided for by the constitution, the commission services numerous requests by various entities requiring a register of voters for specific electoral areas.

“These requests are serviced upon payment of certain fees and in accordance with privacy laws requiring personally identifiable information to be kept confidential.”