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{
    "id": 333243,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/333243/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 380,
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, there has been an issue of the shortage or the delay in the issuance of ID cards. There has been an issue of many young people who are still holding what Dr. Khalwale called the Nusu Vipande or waiting cards. Unfortunately, because of the requirement of the law, those waiting cards cannot be used for purposes of registration. It is an issue that came up and I think it was the subject of a court case that one Member or two hon. Members in this House were actually pursuing. But as of now, we must follow the law. There are security features that an ID card has that the waiting card does not have. Therefore, we will go by that. The Minister of State for Immigration and Registration of Persons has assured this House time and again that they are fast-tracking the issuance of ID cards. We believe that every Kenyan with a waiting card should be able to get an ID card and to vote before the exercise is over. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, on the issue of old generation ID cards, I recently visited Kakamega County and there are very many elderly voters who are still holding the old ID cards. They were actually being turned away. But after consultations with the Ministry of State for Immigration and Registration of Persons and the IEBC, it was agreed that anyone with an ID card, whether first generation or the new one should be allowed to register. So, that should enable us to capture many old voters who are still keeping their old ID cards. As to the removal of veils, turbans for the Akorinos and other head covers during registration, while acknowleding the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion as stipulated under Article 32(1) of the Constitution, the Commission has opted to use a full range of biometric perimeters to conduct registration where fingerprints and a photo of applicants are taken. This will reduce election fraud and, at the same time, considerably accelerate the voter identification process. Applicants who wear headgear for religious reasons may continue to do so during the registration. This is because once your fingerprints are taken, your identification will be captured. But in the case where the headgear completely obscures the face, they may be requested to remove the headgear just for the facial part to be captured. But they will not be turned away. They will not be asked to remove their entire headgear. Even Catholic nuns will not be asked to remove their veils during registration. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, on the issue of delay in opening of registration centres, this is a complaint that came from hon. Members in this House. Overall voter registration started on schedule on Monday, 19th November, and will go on up to 18th December. However, there were a few temporary challenges, but the Commission was able to promptly deal with them as they arose. There were some areas where registration started a bit late, a day after or so. The Commission is aware of these cases. Where there are such complications either with the equipment or with the delay in starting of the process, I would like hon. Members to immediately get in touch with the IEBC, so that they respond accordingly. The areas affected can be compensated through extension of hours of voting. As the Head of State and the chair of the IEBC stated while launching this exercise, extension of time will not be possible because of the time constraints. All efforts will be made to see how to compensate areas that have been affected, particularly those that have lost a day or two."
}