TALK OF THE DAY: New system to eliminate stuffing of ballot papers

There have been claims of ballot stuffing in past elections. In some cases, the number of votes tallied have been more than the number of registered voters. However, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has assured us that this will not happen again, starting with the August 8 elections. The commission says it will use the Kenya Integrated Election Management System, which has the ability to detect ballot stuffing or exaggerated figures. This is good news as it will enhance the credibility of elections. Nyagudi Musandu. [email protected]

Going by results of the recent opinion polls, we are headed for a run-off. However, the success of our political parties is based on the voter turnout in their strongholds. This means it is too early to say for sure who, between Raila and Uhuru, the main contenders, will win and by what margin. That is why both NASA and Jubilee have taken a lot of time to campaign in their strongholds, urging residents to turn up in large numbers. And that is why opinion polls cannot determine who the next President will be. Andrew Mibei, Bomet. [email protected]

One thing that has stood out from campaigns in North Eastern region is the implementation of the traditional version of negotiated democracy, where elders almost determine who will be elected to which position. This system is not new in the region. But what's strange is the manner in which it is executed - there are concerns the process may be hijacked by local elites. Garissa town has practised this tradition since the 1960s under the guidance of the late Maalim Muhumed Sanbul, praised even in death as the most just and loyal voice that the Abduak clan has ever produced.