Benefits of the Technology
In addition to the performance measures identified above, in terms of reduction in staff counts, ICTs have enabled the EEC to record a reduction in the real costs per enrolment (a combination of hardware and personnel costs) of twenty percent in the last twenty years. As ICT operation costs have remained at a constant 4 percent of total costs over the past ten years, it is indisputable that the Centre's investment in ICTs has resulted in a significant productivity improvement. 30 percent fewer staff numbers, for significantly reduced costs per enrolment, are processing more enrolments.
ICTs have also enabled the Centre to improve the accuracy of data held. The EEC recorded 98.2 percent accuracy (verified by an independent audit, comparing paper record details with system ones) at the last parliamentary elections. It is contracted to enrol at least 92 percent of the population and achieved a 94.1 percent enrolment level at the last parliamentary elections (also verified by independent audit using sampling techniques). These make it the sixth most accurate electoral enrolment register in the world, led only by Scandinavian countries.
From an operational perspective, Murray Wicks also assesses the relative performance of the system by the amount of rework that is required - that is, the number of entries on the database that have to be altered because of inaccurate input. As rework is staff-intensive, any reduction in rework reduces costs as well as increasing accuracy. Hence reducing rework is sought from system improvements. The latest system has already reduced the amount of rework required.
It is noted that web-based data capture will reduce data capture costs and may also reduce inaccuracies and rework as it is the citizen who inputs details rather than the EEC staff. However, use of the web is as yet too small to quantify any benefits from this entry method.
The system has also delivered a number of significant benefits, which are difficult to measure, but provide real benefit to the Centre, its clients, and citizens. More accurate data and faster turnaround in report creation and data exchange are now possible. In 1980, additions to the roll closed one calendar month prior to the election. In 2002, additions were received up until twenty-four hours prior to the Election Day. The real time capability of the recently installed system theoretically enables details to be added or amended right up to the Election Day. The web-based communication between head office and the field officers (email, intranet etc) has vastly improved internal communications.
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