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{
    "id": 687593,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/687593/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 358,
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    "content": "The other significant proposal that we have made is that because of the use of biometrics in the voting process, we did a calculation to find out how long it would require each voter to be processed through a polling station. In South Africa, for example, each polling station, which is not necessarily a school or centre, has not more than 300 voters. During the just concluded elections in Tanzania, there were only 425 voters in each polling station. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we should not have more than 500 voters at any particular polling station. They could be less but they should not be more than 500. This is because in order for one to vote, and the biometrics to be taken, it requires a little more than two minutes. If the voting begins from 6.00a.m.to 6.00p.m., a calculation was done by experts and they determined that the number should not be more than 500 voters. That is found in Clause 13 of the Bill on page six of the Bill. Regarding the other significant proposals, in the acquisition of infrastructure for elections, which include equipment like Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kit, Electronic Voter Identification Device (EVID) equipment and documentation, we propose that political parties and other stakeholders and agencies will be involved in the process. This includes testing that prior to holding of an election; the Political Parties should engage with the Independent Electronic and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in testing the equipment. The report that I have here which was undertaken by IEBC itself shows that there was a lot of failure of systems. First, it was because of the lateness and secondly, they were not tested in time. Thirdly, one can come to the conclusion that they were designed to fail. This is from the report of an internal audit by the IEBC. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, Kenyans should remain assured that political parties will not be waiting till the tail end to be told the equipment that was in place did not work. The system in place will engage political parties and other stakeholders in the process; from the beginning to the end. We have made it possible for them not only to engage in the acquisition of these technologies before or during elections, but also dealing with the aftermath of the elections. These are for instance, data storage and information securities. All of which are provided for in the Bill. There is a provision for the formation of a technical committee which involves political parties and other stakeholders in ensuring that these processes are undertaken in a transparent and accountable manner. In conclusion, I assure the Senate that the discussions that were held were done candidly without fear or favour. Sometimes we differed but we had a mechanism for finding out how to resolve the problems by using experts or we would go back to the principals. Many of us including the leadership of the Committee were in constant touch with the leadership of both Coalitions. Although some people may ask about what is in The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}