The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is counting on cutting-edge technology to prepare a new and more accurate voter’s roll.
With memories of the botched disputed 2007 election still fresh, IEBC is approaching the voter registration knowing full well that a botched voter registration process could have negative consequences for the credibility of the coming election.
The registration will be a test for an electoral body still struggling to demonstrate integrity and competence, having just bungled the original plan to procure biometric voter registration equipment under circumstances that forced the Cabinet to move in to save the situation.
The stakes are especially high for IEBC because it is more or less boxed in by a constitutional provision which says that the election must be held in March 2013.
In just a month, IEBC must put in place a system that will capture and store voter information at the same time making sure that the register is secure and without errors.
The technology will identify voters by name, age, photograph and fingerprints.
The registration kit consists of a lap top, a finger print scanner and a printer. And each unit will have an external drive for data storage, a long lasting battery for power where electricity is vulnerable and a weather proof case to protect delicate electronics.
Registering 20 million voters in two months is going to be a massive exercise that will test IEBC’s competence and efficiency in major ways.
Kicking off the exercise, President Kibaki issued a stern warning to those who want to disrupt voter registration that they will be dealt with firmly.
The preparations will in 103 days culminate in the election of a President, governors, senators, MPs, women representatives and county representatives. It will be the first under the new constitution.
Registration is on-going in all constituencies and will end on December 18.
Boycott threat
On Monday, the President announced that security had been stepped up around the country to ensure that the registration goes smoothly.
He said registration officers should be left to do their work without interference as anyone obstructing their duties or endangering their lives “will have themselves to blame”.
“I caution that the government will deal with anyone who may seek to disrupt the exercise…you will not be forgiven for any mischief for whoever you are, we shall get you,” said the President.
“There’s no point of messing up these elections, where Kenyans will be given an opportunity to exercise their democratic rights. Why then should someone interfere with this process?”
“No one has even the remotest right to interfere with the voter registration exercise, whether you are tall, short, or fat. You will see what we shall do to you.”
The President’s warning follows previous threats by the secessionist group, Mombasa Republican Council, which has threatened to disrupt the voter registration exercise in the Coastal region as well as a boycott next year’s elections.
The country has also witnessed an increase in insecurity in areas such at Garissa, Nairobi, Turkana, Tana River and others.
The registration is being conducted by 30,000 clerks in 25,000 registration centres in 1,450 constituency assembly wards across the country.
The clerks will use 15,000 Biometric Voter Registration machines to register at least 18 million voters in the next 30 days.
While urging eligible voters to register afresh to enable them participate in the March 4 elections, the Head of State joined IEBC chair Ahmed Issack Hassan in ruling out any extension of the registration period.
Mr Hassan cautioned voters against registering twice or using fake identity documents during the process. Those caught trying to do so will be severely punished.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Dave Opiyo and Isaac Ongiri
Quelle/Source: Africa Review, 20.11.2012
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