DR1 investigates

[NewsWhore]

In recent weeks the Central Electoral Board (JCE) has increased its promotion of the new biometric cedula identity card and has set up a website with information on the new registration process. But there was an interesting coincidence to their campaign. The JCE's website promoting the new cedula curiously included the signature of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe in its home page design. Questions arose as to why the JCE would use the notorious African leader's signature to promote the JCE, especially as the JCE has modeled itself as a champion of transparency and anti-corruption. Was it a clever joke, a simple coincidence, or something else? As part of its investigation DR1 contacted Daniel Joseph who is in charge of the JCE's website. According to Joseph, that particular signature was used because "it was the only signature that could be used without infringing copyright rules." Joseph added that "no research into Mugabe's identity was carried out" and that the JCE wanted a "nice" signature to be used on the flyer. He admitted that using the signature of a well-known Dominican figure or a "made up name" were other options at their disposal, but they chose to use a signature they found on Wikipedia. After continued questioning Joseph admitted to not knowing who Mugabe was, and didn't understand how the use of Mugabe's signature could reflect poorly on the JCE's campaign. In the end Joseph agreed to remove the signature.
For a picture of the original JCE flyer click here: http://dr1.com/news/2008/jce_mugabe.jpg

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