The Sheriff
JF-Expert Member
- Oct 10, 2019
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Fresh concerns have emerged on the voting register just five months to the August 9 General Election.
According to the latest revelation, names of dead voters are yet to be expunged from the register posing a high threat of polls manipulations.
This was made public by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) acting Chief Executive Officer Hussein Marjan while appearing before the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday, February 28.
The acting CEO told the members of the committee that the delay in knocking out the names of dead voters was caused by the failure to find a reliable firm to conduct an audit on the register.
IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati During the Official Opening of the Political Parties Liaison Committee Engagement Forum Held On Friday, October 1 (IEBC)
IEBC is required to conduct an audit of the register six months before polls according to the Elections Act 2017, a period that has now elapsed.
“The Commission may, at least six months before a General Election, engage a professional reputable firm to conduct an audit of the Register of Voters for the purpose of— verifying the accuracy of the Register; recommending mechanisms of enhancing the accuracy of the register and updating the register,” states the Act.
The acting CEO pointed an accusing finger at the previous audit firm stating they did not do a proper job delaying the whole process.
He however assured the MPs that the electoral body is in the process of acquiring a new audit firm to carry out the exercise.
The committee led by Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandanyi faulted IEBC noting that carrying out the exercise past the stipulated time is unconstitutional.
“Would you concede that the commission would be in breach of the law if it conducts the audit anytime now? It would be illegal in terms of provision that it be done at least six months to the polls,” Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo remarked.
Marjan further revealed that the process is complicated and cannot be executed by IEBC internally.
“It requires data extraction and analysis. Internally, we may not be in a position that is why we are in the process of procuring an external audit firm. It is very important to do an audit to assure the country the register is credible,” the acting CEO stated.
According to the Elections Act, 2017, the purpose of the audit is to allow for scrutiny of the voter register before polls. Failure to which may plunge the country into election jeopardy.
The committee may be forced to seek direction from Attorney General Paul Kihara in order to draft a way forward to address the looming electoral crisis.
In 2017, an audit report exposed 10 security loopholes. The audit detailed that the loopholes could have been used to manipulate elections in the country.
Source: Kenyans.com
According to the latest revelation, names of dead voters are yet to be expunged from the register posing a high threat of polls manipulations.
This was made public by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) acting Chief Executive Officer Hussein Marjan while appearing before the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday, February 28.
The acting CEO told the members of the committee that the delay in knocking out the names of dead voters was caused by the failure to find a reliable firm to conduct an audit on the register.
IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati During the Official Opening of the Political Parties Liaison Committee Engagement Forum Held On Friday, October 1 (IEBC)
“The Commission may, at least six months before a General Election, engage a professional reputable firm to conduct an audit of the Register of Voters for the purpose of— verifying the accuracy of the Register; recommending mechanisms of enhancing the accuracy of the register and updating the register,” states the Act.
The acting CEO pointed an accusing finger at the previous audit firm stating they did not do a proper job delaying the whole process.
He however assured the MPs that the electoral body is in the process of acquiring a new audit firm to carry out the exercise.
The committee led by Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandanyi faulted IEBC noting that carrying out the exercise past the stipulated time is unconstitutional.
“Would you concede that the commission would be in breach of the law if it conducts the audit anytime now? It would be illegal in terms of provision that it be done at least six months to the polls,” Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo remarked.
Marjan further revealed that the process is complicated and cannot be executed by IEBC internally.
“It requires data extraction and analysis. Internally, we may not be in a position that is why we are in the process of procuring an external audit firm. It is very important to do an audit to assure the country the register is credible,” the acting CEO stated.
According to the Elections Act, 2017, the purpose of the audit is to allow for scrutiny of the voter register before polls. Failure to which may plunge the country into election jeopardy.
The committee may be forced to seek direction from Attorney General Paul Kihara in order to draft a way forward to address the looming electoral crisis.
In 2017, an audit report exposed 10 security loopholes. The audit detailed that the loopholes could have been used to manipulate elections in the country.
Source: Kenyans.com
