March 2017

April 10, 2017 (6 years, 11 months ago)

Conclusion of Voter Registration The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) suspended the voter registration despite the court order to continue the exercise till May 17. This decision was made in order to give IEBC time to audit the register. Kenyans in the diaspora had wanted the voter registration extended by two weeks over claims the time allocated to them was insufficient and unreasonable for the estimated three million people. By the end of the exercise, IEBC had registered 1,521 Kenyans living abroad to participate in the general election. Only Kenyans living in East Africa and South Africa could register.

At around the same time, the Public Service ministry returned more than 100 biometric voter registration kits to the electoral commission. This followed accusations from the opposition circles that they were being used to register voters illegally.

Controversy over Poll Management System The Electoral Commission awarded France’s Safran the contract to supply the Electoral Information Management System three days after formally cancelling the Sh3.8 billion tender offered to Gemalto, a French firm. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission terminated the contract citing price, time and budget constraints. Gemalto SA unsuccessfully challenged the electoral commission’s move to cancel a Sh3 billion tender for the supply of a system for voter identification and results transmission in the August General Election.

The Kenya Integrated Elections Management System (KIEMS) was to become operational as from this month. Jubilee politicians have linked Raila Odinga to Safran, a firm that is supposed to provide an elections management system to IEBC. In a rejoinder Mr. Odinga rubbished the claims as mere jubilee propaganda.

In order to meet deadlines highlighted by the law on use of technology, IEBC decided to single source. The technology is supposed to be up 120 days before election, IEBC is also supposed to put up the register for verification 60 days before election.

Meanwhile, Court of appeal declined to suspend the fresh tendering since doing so would have jeopardized preparations for the August 8 elections. Initially the High Court had quashed the tender. Party Primaries Lists and code of Conduct Sixty seven political parties preparing to participate in the August General Election submitted their nomination rules for review. Besides, small political parties stormed IEBC’s offices and demanded a meeting with the commissioners. The parties wanted the commission to extend the deadline when political parties should submit their members’ details.

This year the Member of County Assembly (MCA) position has been crowded since it has attracted professionals as the once humble position has turned to be lucrative. Interests are high in the MCA position that the IEBC approximates that the number of aspirants for the six elective seats is likely triple to 40,000 in the August elections, from only 14,000 in the 2013 polls.

Meanwhile, the High Court extended the order allowing politicians to operate within the previous law that gave them up to 45 days before an election to defect.

August General Election Preparedness Government organs providing essential services during elections have given brief reports on their preparedness. IEBC officials reported they security have mapped areas that will have hotly contested elections for security purposes. Security agencies want to ensure that the elections shall be free from violence. The agency also warned politicians guilty of hate speech that they risk being locked out of elections. It said it would monitor politicians after nominations to bar those inciting hatred from running for political office.

On the other hand Chief Justice Maraga said that the Judiciary has set aside a special group of magistrates to be trained to specifically handle election cases in preparation for the August 8 polls. Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko said a total of 105 prosecutors had been assigned election-related offences, while Ndegwa Muhoro said police were prepared to handle any cases of election violence.

Elsewhere, the Jubilee government through its spokesperson clarified that it hasn’t banned demonstrations after the elections. The clarification came after there were rumours that the police would arrest anyone found protesting over claims of disputed elections. Government through State house spokesperson warned the opposition to stop peddling falsehoods against IEBC and give it the much needed support.

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