IEBC urged to improve election process
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was yesterday challenged to ensure all laws governing the electoral processes are enacted at least one year before elections.
The call was made even as civil society groups called on the commission to improve election technology, particularly the results transmission system.
During a post-election evaluation workshop yesterday, Elections Observers Group (ELOG) national coordinator Mule Musau said although the August 2022 election was better than previous ones, there were still some shortcomings.
“They did a good job as the electoral commission but there are still some questions that need to be addressed. We observed that there were some level of opaqueness in the process,” said Musau (pictured).
He said the debate on the appointment of the IEBC commissioners should be re-introduced.
Musau said the current model where the commissioners are appointed by a selection panel has not worked efficiently.
“Why are we having a lot of interference from the elite yet we are supposed to have an independent commission? Are we comfortable with the current model? We need to have a debate on the IEBC model to address the corporate governance,” he said.
Already, the National Assembly has passed the IEBC Amendment bill 2022, and has since been passed to the Senate to consider the legislation.
ELGIA Executive Director Felix Odhiambo said Kenya must endeavour to put in place a comprehensive legal mechanisms before the 2027 elections, adding that his organisation is working on a legal audit to improve regulatory and legal framework for elections.
