Dems electronic voting system faces data protection complaint

The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) is facing a formal complaint to the Data Protection Commissioner over its new electronic voting system, just days before heading to George Street for its 69th annual conference.

A party member has raised significant concerns about the handling of sensitive personal data, including political opinions, as the DLP prepares to introduce electronic voting for council and executive members at its headquarters this weekend.

Theodora Corbin, a St Thomas resident, submitted the complaint to Data Protection Commissioner Lisa Greaves, arguing that the party’s approach violates the Data Protection Act of 2019. Corbin’s concerns centre around the lack of transparency, inadequate legal safeguards, and the absence of a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA).

“The nature of the data being processed inherently includes political opinions, classifying it as sensitive personal data under Part II, Section 9 of the Data Protection Act, 2019-29,” Corbin wrote. She emphasised that the DLP has not demonstrated compliance with the specific legal conditions required for processing such sensitive information.

The complaint comes amid internal strife within the DLP, following the recent expulsion of president Dr Ronnie Yearwood and general secretary Steve Blackett, which has deepened divisions within the party.

Party elder Undene Whittaker has expressed deep concerns about the changes, particularly how they might disadvantage older party members less familiar with digital technology. 

“This cannot be democratic,” Whittaker told Barbados TODAY last Friday, underscoring that elderly members should have been informed well in advance.

In contrast, Quincy Jones, the chair of the annual general conference, hailed the technological improvements as a “more efficient and transparent way to show that every voice is heard”.

Corbin’s letter highlighted several key issues with the new voting system, including the lack of a DPIA, insufficient transparency about data handling, and the absence of a clear legal basis for processing members’ personal information. She urged the Data Protection Commissioner to investigate these matters urgently.

“The lack of clarity, transparency, and adherence to legal obligations is alarming and poses severe risks to the privacy and personal data of all members involved,” Corbin wrote.

When contacted, acting president Andre Worrell told Barbados TODAY the party had no comment.

The three-day annual party conference opens on Friday at its George Street headquarters. (RG)