IEBC failure on voter education killing voter turnout

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is under crisis again! The low voters turnout and violence that has locked the exercise is a grave concern to the future of voting patterns in Kenya. Mass exodus of people wanting to register in a specific place and the in-turn violence and resistance witnessed in some places leaves a lot to be desired. 

Indeed, if the trend of low voter registration continues, then one can only conclude that there is something amiss at IEBC. The 30-day mass voter registration exercise that runs from 15th February to 15th March, 2016 has raised more doubts in increasing the number of registered voters. IEBC is targeting to register about eight million potential new voters but what has been witnessed in all the 47 counties is voters’ apathy! IEBC has failed again on this one! IEBC has failed Kenya in four areas namely:

Registration centres confusing: IEBC has failed to inform Kenyans where the 24,559 registration centres across the 290 constituencies are located. Details of specific directions to these centers are missing. They have also failed to inform Kenyans that this registration centres become polling centres during elections and that continuous voter registration is going on at the constituency offices. In addition, registration has been rolled out to wards and registration centers.

2017 general election details scanty: IEBC has failed to remind Kenyans the specific date when general elections will be held. It’s important to note that the 2017 general election will be held on August 8th and that the constitution of Kenya 2010 provides that, a general election shall be held on the second Tuesday of August every fifth year and that six elections will be held on the same day-the president (1), senators (47), county governors (47), and members of national assemblies or MPs (290), Members of County Assembly (1450) and women county representatives (47).

Reasons for one to vote remain vague: IEBC has systematically refused to educate Kenyans that voting provides Kenyans an opportunity to choose a leader of their choice; that voting provides an opportunity to vie in elections and that it’s by law-only registered voters are allowed to vie for elections; that by voting, one safeguards his or her rights and freedoms as provided for in the constitution; that by voting one has legitimacy to leaders in power and that by electing their leaders, voters give their consent to be led by whoever they have chosen and to reject those who fail to sufficiently represent their interests.

Basic requirements to vote not provided: IEBC has methodologically refused to inform Kenyans that it’s one’s constitutional right to be registered as a voter and that one is eligible to register as voter if he or she is - a Kenyan citizen; aged 18 years and above and has a national ID or a passport. This has not yet been done effectively. An adult citizen shall exercise the right to vote as specified in article 38 (3) of the constitution in accordance with the elections act. He or she must, among other requirements, be registered in the principal register of voters. A voter has the responsibility and obligation to: report election offences as soon as possible to designated IEBC security officers desks, designated peace committees or the nearest police station; conduct campaigns in a peaceful manner and to always adhere to the laws, rules and regulations guiding elections in Kenya and to participate in the election by coming out to vote.

Dr. Njenga, Solomon

School of Governance, Peace and Security

Africa Nazarene University, Kenya