Satellite technology streamlines Burkina Faso election operations

Burkina Faso's elections on Sunday were enhanced with technology provided by Paris, France-based satellite operations company SES S.A.

The company partnered before the election with Burkina Faso's official electoral body, Commission Électorale Nationale Indépendante (CENI). Through the technology, election results were sent digitally from 368 polling places.

“SES Techcom Services’ satellite broadband solution ensures a high degree of reliability in collecting voters’ choices,” CENI President Barthélemy Kéré said. “Through greater transparency and improved collation of results, we are able to achieve greater political stability and further develop democracy in Burkina Faso.”

SES' technology also enabled the connection of Burkina Faso's electoral district offices to the central CENI office in the country's capital, Ouagadougo. Communication throughout the election was constant.

“We are extremely pleased to be partnering with CENI for the Burkinabe Presidential Election, and to see that rollout is well underway," Managing Director of SES Techcom Services Gerhard Bethscheider said, just before the election took place. "Utilizing our Astra Connect solution, voters’ choices, even from isolated or remote regions, can be collated and transferred across the country, ensuring all voters’ voices are heard.”

Official results from the election are expected within the week.