By Sefu Sabila, DevReporter, Trans Nzoia County
The electoral commission is ready to conduct the general elections. This is according to its chairman, Wafula Chebukati.
A couple of weeks earlier, presidential aspirants had raised concerns on the commission’s readiness to oversee free and fair elections. The question of manual voter registration being offered as an alternative backup in case of Kiems kits failure, has been a hotly contested.
Concerns
There have been fresh concerns raised, including by Azimio, one of the contesting coalition, raising questionins at this late hour, about the printing of two separate Form 34As, books 1 and 2. Azimio also wants the Forms 34Bs that IEBC had omitted, to be printed. These are the two Forms used to enter Presidential results at the National and Constituency levels.
According to the Azimio team, the introduction of a manual voter registration would help to avoid frustrating the voter, who after rising early to participate in the elections, would be unable to do so should they no be identified through the electronic register. It was therefore a win for the Azimio coalition, after Justice Mugure Thande ruled that on polling day, the commission uses both the manual voter register, alongside the electronic one. Earlier on, the commission’s secretary general, had assured the presidential candidates of the availability of the manual voter registration at the polling centres.
Commission’s Readiness
Residents of Trans Nzoia are however confident that the commission will deliver on a free and fair election. Many are impressed by the readiness and accountability of the Chebukati led commission.
“Unlike the previous election, this time IEBC is more ready to conduct a credible, free and fair election. I’m confident of much more truthful results.”
Affirming these sentiments is Tuwan Ward’s youth leader, Wycliffe Atonya, who says that the commission will deliver an election as per the will of the voters. He fears that the frequent blame, constant raising of matters by the candidates and profiling of the commission’s workers by politicians, is likely to bring tension among the electorate.
“IEBC is all ready for the coming elections. I’m certain that the voices of Kenyans will not be manipulated for the benefit of a few individuals. Leaders should stop interfering through constant demands to the commission. This is already raising the tension, which is not a good indicator.” He said.
According to Mrs. Salama Mwinyi, a resident of Saboti Constituency, the commission’s daily briefing on the progress of election preparations is assuring voters of its team’s dedication to delivering on the elections of 9 August.
According the commission, it is court cases that are derailing the process of ballot printing.
Related stories
https://www.kbc.co.ke/manual-register-or-else-azimio-flag-bearer-issues-ultimatum-to-iebc/https://nation.africa/kenya/news/politics/raila-demands-iebc-talks-over-parallel-result-forms-3894502
