August Elections | The Spotlight Post

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has agreed to use the manual register in polling stations after months of push and pull.

In an address to the press on Friday, August 5, IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati noted that the process of distributing the manual registers had started.

The last-minute changes followed a ruling by the High Court requiring that the electoral body incorporates the manual registers into its operations.

Initially, IEBC had maintained that it would only use KIEMS kits in its operations.

“We shall now deploy the printed register of voters at the polling stations where the names of the voters shall be crossed out after identification of voters using the KIEMs Kit.

“The Commission commits to adhere to the rule of law and will facilitate the realisation of political rights of Kenyans as is capitulated in Article 38 of the constitution in order to deliver a free, fair and credible election,”
announced Chebukati.

He further explained that register contained all the details of the voter ranging from the photo and ID number among others.

“It has two levels of usage; it will be crossed out at the same time with verification by the biometrics and also as complementary if the KIEMS Kit fails,”
Chebukati added.

The announcement succeeded a ruling by the High Court, which revoked a decision by the IEBC to exclude manual registers.

In July, Azimio la Umoja One Kenya led by former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, had threatened to boycott the election if the commission excludes the use of the printed register.

Raila, at the time, stated that the IEBC must embrace both manual and electronic voter registers and if they do not, there would be no election on August 9.

He insisted that both registers must be accessible due to alleged attempts to sabotage the upcoming election.

“With a manual register, it will be easy to tell how many people have voted in every polling station. In the electronic register, there is no record that remains.

“That is why we are saying that there must be a manual register at every polling station, it is not negotiable. We are telling the IEBC they must have a manual register along with the biometric identification of voters on that day; failure to which, there will be no election,”
he argued at the time.

The County Government of Kisumu on Thursday, August 4, ordered all bars, nightclubs, lodgings, and markets to be closed from midnight August 8 to 5 pm August 9 to encourage more voters to turn up for the election.

In a directive issued by acting City Manager Abala Wanga, the county noted that the order would prevent residents from overindulging in alcohol among other pleasures, and fail to vote.

With the social joints closed, Wanga noted that voters would easily go to polling stations without many disruptions.

“On August 8, we are going to close all bars, clubs, shops, markets, and lodgings as early as midnight and all activities stopped except the Boda Boda riders who will be allowed to ferry voters to the polling stations,”
said Wanga.

He further assured city residents that the county had their best interests and that no one would be forced to vote. He, however, stated that those with ink on their finger – an indication of voting- would enjoy the services later.

In addition, the government official reached out to the Kisumu Bar Owners Association Chairman Daniel Maneno Ouma to ensure that the directive was implemented.

“We had consulted with the city manager and we will ensure that we close in time and monitor clients who have no ink on their fingers. They will not be admitted to the bar,”
stated Ouma.

The government official added that a letter was also being crafted to direct supermarkets to comply. Residents were also urged to do their shopping early before the facilities were closed.

This directive came after Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i declared Tuesday, August 9 a public holiday to give Kenyans ample time to cast their votes for the next government.

Bob Onyona, a bar owner, assured the county government of total compliance. He noted that plans were underway to ensure employees got to travel on Sunday to their registered polling stations and exercise their civic duty.

“This will afford the people of Kenya the opportunity to participate in the 2022 General Election and elect Members of Parliament, Members of County Assemblies and County Governors, and the President.”

The CS’s directive was fueled by the increased calls from political leader.