The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has time and again come under great criticisms for apparently failing to live up to it’s Independence nature with claims of working under influence from other third parties always coming it’s way.
The Situation at the Commission has been so bad that Members of Parliament have even recommended that the whole commission be done away and a process initiated to constitute a new one.
However, IEBC, in a move seen by many as one aimed at saving itself from shame and constant blame has now presented a set of changes it would like implemented to help streamline the Kenyan Electoral System.
Through it’s bosses, IEBC is recommending a number of changes that include holding Presidential Elections and other elections one year apart.
However, to actualize the numerous changes they are recommending, IEBC Chiefs led by Wafula Chebukati are demanding financial autonomy to avoid the risk of “State capture” that could compromise elections.
IEBC has lamented to the Building Bridges Initiative Taskforce that they are fully dependent on the Treasury for budgetary allocation which compromises the execution of its mandate.
“This exposes the Commission to the risk of State capture thereby compromising elections. To mitigate this risk, the Commission should be allocated adequate resources in line with the electoral cycle, in one tranche at the beginning of the financial year and be given financial autonomy,” Chebukati said.
It’s unclear whether the statement was a subtle admission of government interference in IEBC operations.
IEBC elections would be divided into county-based and national elections in what would require a referendum to change the 2010 Constitution.
The electoral agency team proposes that the election of governors, senator and MCAs shall fall under the county elections and will be held on a single day.
However, the vote for the President, member of the National Assembly and Woman Representative will be under the national elections with the elections pushed to a different date.