Smartmatic International has been designing and deploying electronic voting systems for the past 22 years. The company, which has its headquarters in London, United Kingdom, was founded in 2000, in Florida, United States.
A number of nations have awarded Smartmatic contracts to manage the technical aspects of their elections. These include Venezuela, the United States, the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Albania, Zambia, Uganda, and the Philippines. The Standard reports.
Kenya is the latest country to contract the company to oversee elections. According to The Standard, after being accused of mismanaging elections in the US and the Philippines, the company's reputation has been adversely affected.
On Thursday, July 21, three Venezuelan nationals were arrested upon landing at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. According to the IEBC, they worked for Smartmatic (JKIA). Later Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti issued a detailed report on the three foreigners apprehended with electoral materials at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
In the Philippines 2022 Presidential elections, It was Smartmatic International that was contracted to provide automated elections system (AES) software. According to the information posted on its website.
Media reports show that the Philippines National Police (PNP) and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC) detained three hackers reportedly behind Smartmatic's data leak. Investigators said a rogue employee gave his credentials to a Facebook Messenger user in exchange for free training.
Report shows that Smartmatic sacked the employee in January and has implemented stricter procedures since then. According to the Philippines National Police, the three men who were apprehended were brought to trial and charged with violating the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
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