Voter verification: Facebook to post reminders to users
Facebook users in Kenya will begin receiving reminders to confirm their voter identification details after the US social media site signed an agreement with the electoral agency.
Under the campaign, Facebook users aged over 18 will see a message at the top of their News Feed reminding them to verify the accuracy of their details in the voter’s register.
A link accompanying the message will direct users to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Facebook page.
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The US tech company will also create buttons for users to share with friends that they have verified their details and that they plan to take part in the August General Election.
“By working closely with Facebook, we hope to raise voter awareness of how the verification process works and increase engagement with us, particularly with the youth,” said IEBC communications manager Andrew Limo.
The ongoing voter verification has recorded underwhelming turnout in its early days. Yet, verification of the voter register is crucial for public confidence in the integrity of the upcoming polls.
In addition to confirming the accuracy of voter details, the verification process is also supposed to provide an opportunity for authorities to weed out fictitious and dead persons from the register.
Facebook came under fire during the American electoral season for failing to curb fake news and has since been eager to show that it is capable of having positive political impact.
The tech giant is running ads warning the public of fake news ahead of the UK’s elections.
