IEBC launches credibility defence

Nairobi, Kenya: The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission took the defence of its credibility to a weekly Government media briefing, saying that the fact that 163 out of the 188 election petitions arising from last year’s General Election had been dismissed was proof the polls were free and fair.

The commission further argued that the 25 that were upheld had seen the voters re-elect the same leaders that won the initial elections.

“This is a clear indication that the elections were up to 90 per cent free and fair,” said IEBC Communications and Corporate Affairs Manager Tabitha Mutemi.

She spoke during a media briefing organised by the National Steering Committee on Media Monitoring in Nairobi yesterday.

Poll irregularities

Mutemi said the electoral body was working on the challenges experienced in the last elections to put in place necessary mechanisms to minimise poll irregularities.

“As the body charged with the mandate to oversee elections in the country, we would like to ask all Kenyans to have faith in the commission as we are doing everything possible to have reforms introduced,” said Ms Mutemi.

The Commission also asked all Kenyans who had not previously registered as voters to do so as the register period was now open.

The new registration exercise targets those who did not register in 2012, young adults who are yet to register and those wishing to transfer from other voting stations.

However, those seeking transfers from their current stations have been asked to inform the officers in charge so that their details are transferred to the polling centres of their choice.

“You need to give the reasons why you are moving to avoid double registration, which is a crime under the laws governing the electoral board,” Mutemi said.

She asked all stakeholders to mobilise voters to register because 6.6 million Kenyans were yet to do so.

CORD wants IEBC reconstituted, arguing that it was involved in massive irregularities in last year’s polls.