Facilitate extension of voter registration

NAIROBI: At the commencement of the ongoing voter registration exercise on February 15, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had targeted to register 4 million voters in addition to the 14 million registered by end of December 2014.

The exercise got off on a very slow pace and the target is likely not to be achieved by the deadline of Tuesday. So far, available figures show that slightly over half a million of the targeted 4 million have been registered. The reasons for this poor turnout are many; ranging from lack of awareness at the grassroots, apathy, lack of National Identification cards for some of the eligible voters and the distribution of the voter registration kits.

Claims of induced mass voter transfer have become common and the IEBC must act on this unlawful practice. The low turnout has prompted calls for an extension of the exercise from MPs. The Senate has even called for a two-month extension to ensure no eligible Kenyan is disenfranchised especially where some are unable to register because they have not yet received their national ID’s.

Even though IEBC says it cannot extend the exercise citing lack of funds, the necessity for an extension is apparent. Because the distribution of voter registrations kits raised concerns, especially when only 5,756 were shared out among 24,599 polling centres countrywide, no area should be left out because of logistical challenges.

While IEBC’s predicament is understandable, having been allocated only Sh500 million of the Sh2 billion requested, Parliament must act with speed to raise the requisite funds to facilitate the registration exercise.

Meanwhile, IEBC must instill confidence in all political players that their operations do not favour one side.