Chebukati Initiates New Strategy to Curb Presidential Elections Madness, Will This Bear Fruits?

The Kenyan Presidential elections are arguably one of the most contested elections in the world. Each and every electioneering period always brings with it some sort of tension and animosity among Kenyans.

This has majorly been attributed to the fact that a section of Kenyans have always felt that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has always promoted electoral injustice and impunity.

Cases of elections being rigged and results being doctored have marred Kennya’s Presidential elections for the last three decades.

In the midst of all these, it was expected that IEBC and other relevant institutions would come together with a great framework to help curb the irregularities and help restore people’s faith in the electoral body.

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The IEBC has now proposed that the timeframe for presidential election petition extended.

The Constitution provides 14 days from the date the final results are declared. But the electoral agency says this is not enough to allow thorough preparation for cases, results publication and allowing due process in court, including a recount if need be.

Chairman Wafula Chebukati, in a post-election report, wants constitutional reforms and amendment to the elections laws. He wants this carried out two years before the next election to allow time for proper implementation.

The IEBC recommends that national and county elections be held on different dates.

It also recommends that the appointment of commissioners be staggered or done at least two years to the general election. Their terms should not end at the same time so there is continuity and institutional memory.

“Considering the electoral cycle is five years, ideally, commissioners should be appointed to be in office the entire cycle. Where not possible, they should be in office at least two years to the General Election date,” the report reads.

And to ensure that all eligible Kenyans are registered as voters, the IEBC wants the national citizen registration database integrated with the voters roll.

“The commission needs to review its policy on registration and voting among Kenyan citizens residing outside the country to make it economical and available to those who would like to register as voters,” the report says.

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The commission has urged the National Treasury and the National Assembly to ensure adequate allocation and timely release of funds to support its operations.

“Funding for electoral activities should be timely and aligned to the electoral cycle. This calls for sensitisation of Parliament and the National Treasury on the electoral cycle and its relation to election financing,” the agency says.

Other recommendations include updated list of credible voter education providers throughout the country, need to have targeted voter registration for particular groups in the community such as the youth, women, pastoralists and slum dwellers.

“This would enhance registration of eligible citizens,” the report notes.

The commission has called for development of specific voter education programmes on use of polls technologies. It has further an independent periodical audit of technology.

“Adoption of new election technologies should be at least one year before Election Date to facilitate testing, simulation and public education,” it says.

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