The manual, which addresses the security vulnerabilities that have been detected in GECOM's database, was prepared by IT consultant Ronan McDermott and has been in circulation since December.

The stakeholders, who include political parties and members of the donor community, were expected to pronounce on the contents of the draft by the end of February.

But because of the technical nature of the proposals some of them have sought extensions, said GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally recently.

"GECOM agreed with the requests for extensions [because] it is of such importance...and since we want to get it right, we are prepared to wait."

The database, its security safeguards and its suitability for use at the next General Elections, which are slated for 2006, have been at the centre of some debate.

The PNCR has expressed its concern about the database and several vulnerabilities in the security safeguards that were detected in audits that were done by the Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) and by a forensic database specialist after the last General Elections.

Although the system auditors found no evidence that the database had been breached, the party has said that it has no confidence in the integrity of the database and wants it scrapped, to guard against voter disenfranchisement.

The draft reportedly addresses all of the perceived vulnerabilities within the IT system, based on the deficiencies that were detected in the audits.

Proposals for systems development, computer incident response, acceptable use, internet connectivity and e-mail policies are contained in the draft as well.