Electronic voting a must in polls, says Kibaki

By PPS
President Mwai Kibaki has termed as timely the intervention of the government of Canada in the acquisition of the biometric voter registration system by the IEBC. 

The President said the biometric system would go a long way in ensuring a credible election next year.

Speaking when he bade farewell to the outgoing High Canadian Commissioner to Kenya David Collins, the President thanked the Government of Canada for its support in the urgent purchase of the biometric voter registration system.

“The technology is there to make the voter registration process transparent and credible.  We want to put it to good use and build confidence among the Kenyan people and send a clear message that we will have a good election,” President Kibaki told the outgoing envoy.

President Kibaki said the Government is supporting the IEBC to stick to the election calendar it has set up.

“We are working towards holding elections on March 4, 2013.  That is the date set out and we will be happy to give our full support to putting in place systems that will guarantee a fair, just and credible election”, President Kibaki said.

On his part, the High Commissioner assured the President that his government will push for the delivery of the biometric system on time to allow for its use in voter registration, and identification of voters.

President Kibaki wished the outgoing high commissioner best wishes in his future endeavours and thanked him for promoting the good relations between Kenya and Canada.

The farewell ceremony was attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Prof. Sam Ongeri, Ag.Head of the Public Service Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Kimemia and the Political and Diplomatic Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Amb. Patrick Wamoto.