By-elections poor gauge of IEBC’s competence

For some inexplicable reason the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has found it suitable to conduct by-elections with relative ease, yet when it comes to the ultimate stage, has fared badly in the eyes of a significant section of the total electorate.

Why should this be of concern? After the events of 2007 when the IEBC’s predecessor was accused of bungling the results tallying process, everyone heaved a sigh of relief when the new body took shape and its commissioners were sworn in.

The hope then was that it would distinguish itself in many ways from the Electoral Commission of Kenya. Instead, even before the General Election on March 4 this year, the IEBC was beset by myriad problems that were largely self-generated.

We cannot comment on them because they are matters already in court, and the independence of the Judiciary and rights of the plaintiffs and the accused must at all times be respected.

However, any electoral body is judged on its handling of the General Election. This is its biggest theatre, the challenge for which it must always be ready. The Constitution of Kenya gives the IEBC five years to plan and be ready for this test. This is the period during which it should be engaging in voter education, introducing new technologies and testing their efficacy.

So far the IEBC has generally handled by-elections well, but it was the same before the March 4 polls, only for the process to be clouded by a series of events that have since been cited in numerous election-related cases, following the Supreme Court ruling on the presidential race. In any case, the numbers of voters in by-elections are so small, they are much easier to manage.

The IEBC should therefore start planning for 2017 now. Waiting until a year to the polls is asking for more drama and even chaos and that is something it can ill-afford.

An effective electoral body is forever on an election footing and nothing less is expected of the IEBC.