Attend to IEBC woes to avoid 2022 debacle
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) remains the perennial punching bag whenever the country faces challenges related to elections.
It stands indicted for botching the 2017 General Election and lack of confidence in the institution was partly cited for the 2007/8 post-election violence.
Challenges with the IEBC have been attributable to lack of funds, delayed preparations and personnel.
That is why we are alarmed by revelations by the commission’s leadership that the agency is ill-prepared to conduct next year’s General Election, which is barely 13 months away given the elaborate procedural and legal processes involved.
Even more shocking are findings of an audit of the voter register that said the 2013 and 2017 polls did not meet the integrity test because the register was calamitous.
If what was revealed yesterday is anything to go by, there are ominous signs that the next election might turn out to be another dark spot for the country if efforts are not made to salvage an already worsening situation.
According to the IEBC, constrained budgetary allocations had stalled priority activities which include audit and maintenance and update of election technology, which are legal requirements.
In fact, the agency has ruled out the much-awaited review of boundaries before the next General Election due to lack of finances.
The commission is also unable to conduct continuous voter registration, education and public awareness that are key to the election.
It should be noted that the spirit and letter of the 2010 Constitution shields independence of Chapter 15 commissions and independent offices. The commissions are mandated to protect sovereignty of the people and promote constitutionalism.
The Constitution is clear that Parliament shall allocate adequate funds to enable each commission and independent office to perform its functions and the budget of each commission and independent office shall be a separate vote.
We understand that the Treasury revenue streams have for the past year been severely constrained due to effects of the Covid-19 pandemic which has battered the economy.
But revelations that an independent commission such as the IEBC may be unable to discharge a sensitive mandate such the upcoming polls should trigger alarm bells, especially in a country whose citizens have fought in the past because of elections.
The cost of a botched election in Kenya is too painful to contemplate. That is why everything must be done to ensure IEBC delivers the 2022 polls.
