The procedure for purchasing fingerprint machines is ridiculous and inappropriate, says Vanhaute
In an interview with Civil Media, mediator Peter Vanhaute criticized the way in which fingerprint machines were procured for the local elections in the country.
"In short, about the fingerprint system. The purchase of that system, I will be very honest, is really funny. First you say that you do not have enough time to pass a proper procurement procedure. So, you start writing and inviting companies to suggest how much it would cost to provide the equipment, and then you choose the cheapest bidder, for 5 million euros. But the bidder then says - yes, that's the idea, but in the end it will cost more. More than twice as much - 11 million euros. And then you accept the offer. That is not an appropriate procurement procedure, he said.
"You have bodies in the country, the State Audit Office and the judiciary that should react immediately in this regard. This is the wrong way to shop. In the end, the government has a huge responsibility. "They need to react immediately and take action and do everything they can to prevent such things." says Vanhaute.