SES, CENI Provide Satellite Network for Burkina Faso Election

SES infographic of how it’s satellites are used in the Burkina Faso 2015 elections. Photo: SES

[Via Satellite 11-30-2015] SES and Commission Electorale Nationale Independante (CENI), the official electoral body of Burkina Faso, partnered to enable secure digital transmission of the results of the Nov. 29 Burkinabe Presidential Election from 368 locations across the country.

Electoral district offices across Burkina Faso connected to the central CENI office in the capital Ouagadougou, through SES Techcom Services’ Astra Connect VSAT terminals. Burkina Faso used satellite capacity from Astra 2G at 28.2 degrees east to enable transportation of electoral data. Additionally, the connectivity solution included Voice over IP (VoIP) telephony at each deployed site to enable constant contact and coordination with the headquarters in the capital.

The current election follows the temporary ousting of Burkina Faso’s previous interim president and prime minister earlier this year. Former president Blaise Compaore stepped down in October 2014 when violent protests resulted from efforts to amend the constitution to enable him to run for another term. CENI anticipates disseminating election results within a week of the voting date.

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