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{
    "id": 718912,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/718912/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 29,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Njomo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1784,
        "legal_name": "Jude L. Kangethe Njomo",
        "slug": "jude-l-kangethe-njomo"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to move the following Motion: THAT, cognizant of the provisions of Article 38(3) of the Constitution regarding political rights of the citizens, aware that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is currently conducting countrywide mass voter registration; further aware that this activity forms an integral component of democracy and specifically the exercise of universal suffrage; appreciating the fact that as elected national leaders, Members of Parliament are key stakeholders in the process; concerned that unlike in the previous dispensation where the Executive, as part of the House, would regularly apprise the House on progress of such activities; also concerned that Parliament is oblivious of the current progress; further concerned of reports of low voter turnout in the current enlisting; noting the need for the deployment of a persuasive mechanism to encourage voter registration and participation in election of all identity card holders in the country; further noting that this would go a long way in the furtherance of Article 38 of the Constitution; this House instructs the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs to urgently formulate and propose persuasive and compelling mechanisms for consideration by Parliament, to motivate and encourage all unregistered citizens to register as voters and ultimately participate in the General Elections. Hon. Deputy Speaker, the IEBC is currently on the second phase of mass voter registration having done the first phase last year, 2016. This is a fundamental right as enshrined in the Constitution under Article 38, which recognises the right of every citizen without unreasonable restrictions to be registered as a voter. This is further provided for by the Elections Act of 2011 which requires that any Kenyan citizen who has attained the age of 18 and above as evidenced by either a national card or passport should be registered as a voter. In some countries, it is compulsory to be registered as a voter and vote. They include Brazil, Belgium, Singapore among others. If you do not participate in voting in those countries, you will get a penalty in your mailbox. It is not compulsory to vote in our country and to be registered as a voter. This was discussed at length in Bomas of Kenya when the Constitution was being written. It was agreed that making voting compulsory would be against basic human rights, would not assure freedom of choice and would be against the Constitution that was being drawn and therefore, it was not accepted. Voting in Kenya is voluntary. In November, 2016, there was a general election in the United States of America (USA) and more than half of the eligible voters did not vote. When voting was concluded and Donald Trump was declared the President, there were protests from so many towns in America. Masses were protesting that the President they wanted was not elected. The same people did not participate in an election and they were now hearing the voices of their own words that they have used on other countries that, “choices have consequences.” They were now suffering for the The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}