Can we speed up electoral reforms to ensure fair elections and national stability?

Public Watchdog

The nation must brace itself for yet another political battle, this time round focused on reforms of electoral laws and nominees, as Chairman and Commissioners to Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

The task of electoral reforms will not be a matter of political interests alone, but would be of special interest to civil society, all Kenyans and the international community.

Amid rising political temperatures and next year’s looming general election rest a people wary of the consequences of meddled elections. Yes, the 2007 general election and resultant machinations, which started with partisan appointees and muddled registration of voters is still fresh in everyone’s memory.

Consequences of these political intrigues were election disputes and post-election violence, the first in the history of our democracy. The negative consequences in terms of human capital costs — loss of lives and displacement remain unfinished business today.

New political kingpins

Indeed, this country was on the brink of collapse following a political impasse, with far-reaching socio-economic consequences. The quest for justice has the main political actors under sustained crossfire and building of alliances based on shared interests. What, then, are critical considerations?

Firstly, it is now apparent that political interests are likely to determine the pace and nature of national reforms — they would largely be informed by political capital to be realised in tomorrow’s election in 2012. Emerging alliances of self-preservation could undermine reform of electoral law, strengthening of institutional arrangements, and appointment of commissioners.

Yes, political theatrics would worsen as we come closer to 2012, possibly the fiercest succession political battle in the history of this country. Further, Kenyans are witnessing emergence of new political kingpins and watching how they might reshape the political and governance landscapes.

We have a new constitutional dispensation with critical institutional pillars, among them the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission that must be established within one year from the date of promulgation.

However, it is people who make a difference in institutions and whether such persons have integrity to resist intimidation and/or political manipulations.

Secondly, the choice is clear: either we strengthen institutions to guarantee national political stability, as a necessary step towards, engendering economic growth, justice and prosperity or meddle for short-term expediency and risk losing everything. Why?

We know what could go wrong, even, though we were told we might never know who won the 2007 presidential elections. However, as a people, we have now witnessed the test of our resilience in the social, economic and political fabric of our nation. We say: Never again to meddled or muddled elections and every Kenyan must stay alert to machinations that could lead to early actions that could unfairly influence the next elections.

Beyond reproach

How? In appointments of partisan persons to control the election institution and/or manipulation of registration process, voting records, verification systems and reports. One, thing, is, however, clear: if polls can be manipulated, winner denied the right to a win with impunity, then, the question would be why does anyone need to vote at all.

Yes, we were lucky last time albeit with a huge human and socio-economic cost. Surely, next time could be disastrous to even contemplate if there is any hint of unfairness or manipulated elections.

Thirdly, it behoves the collective leadership and citizens to ensure electoral law reform is accelerated before the next elections.

Further, the process of appointing the Chair and Commissioners must not only be fair, but need to be seen as transparent for the right persons to serve as custodians of our democracy.

Anyone seeking to manipulate the process or capture such a critical constitutional pillar should be seen as an enemy of Kenya and a major threat to peace and tranquillity of our nation.

Current Chairman Ahmed Issack and some his commissioners have proven to be independent and should be confirmed through a proper vetting process. Further, President Kibaki being, not directly in contention for presidency in 2012 — having served the mandatory term limit — must resist being captured by any vested interests seeking to control the electoral process and institutions.

Kenyans trust and hope the President will seek to retire in an environment of peace and tranquillity and oversee Kenya’s third political succession in growing democracy. Will President Kibaki, do what former President Moi did — hand over power in a smooth transition with a then, growing political hostility arising from a change crusade?

With hindsight, it is said, we are all wiser, thus as retirement draws closer, President Kibaki, might be wishing he had kinder parting words for his predecessor during his inauguration speech. Or what does he expect of his successor?

Finally, the Tenth Parliament made history in facilitating the new constitutional order. Parliament must, therefore, guarantee appointments of persons beyond reproach as insurance for national stability, this being a matter of compelling public interest!

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