Though African countries have consolidated political reforms over the years, election related-crisis demonstrates the constant struggles that characterise the journey towards the realisation of democratic ideals.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission should plan well before the August 8 General Election. Based on past episodes, electoral moments tend to be tremendously emotive and uncertain.
After the 2007/08 post-election polls, Kenyans lost trust in the electoral body. And the clamour for a fair, transparent and credible electoral process continues to intensify. Regrettably, public confidence in vital public institutions continues to wane because of corruption.
Information Communication technology is a potent tool towards restoring the credibility and integrity of institutions. Effective integration of ICT is crucial and critical in ensuring a successful election comes August 8.
ICT has radically transformed the communication arena. Information can reach people very easily and fast. It can play a major role in democracy and election. ICT possess requisite capabilities that can be exploited to mitigate electoral fraud, irregularities and hold election office accountable.
This is likely to inspire public confidence and stem the possibility of widespread discontent which ordinarily triggers an agitation for mass action because it can help eliminate the systemic or institutional loopholes that has harboured historical electoral malpractices. This can only be achieved when IEBC takes the mandate to ensure that no system is entirely immune to operational complexities.
Electoral breakthrough does not only lie in the technology tools applied, but also in the cumulative impact of mechanisms engaged to appropriately blend all the elements within the electoral chain.
In view of the complexity of electoral exercise and the time constraints, there is need for sound operations continuity plan that details the fallback procedures should the system malfunction or some of its components fail to work as intended. Atieno Catheryne, Kisumu.
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