IEBC not prepared for voter listing, CORD leaders tell EU delegation

CORD leaders (from left) Kalonzo Musyoka, Raila Odinga and Moses Wetang’ula during their meeting with the European Union delegation at their Capital Hill office in Nairobi. [PHOTO: EDWARD KIPLIMO

NAIROBI: Opposition leaders have raised concerns about inadequate preparations for voter registration and alleged attempts to weaken independent institutions.

During a meeting with the European Union's pre-election mission yesterday, CORD leaders Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang'ula cited financial constraints facing the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and distribution of biometric voter registration (BVR) kits among concerns that could undermine the credibility of next year's polls.

"IEBC is using under-funding as an excuse not to include many people and not to provide sufficient time for people to register. We do think that the Government is doing this deliberately to deny people their right to registe," said Raila.

The CORD leaders revisited corruption allegations rocking the IEBC stemming from procurement of electoral equipment in the 2013 polls, adding that bold steps must be taken to restore the electoral body's credibility.

"It is our feeling that if serious steps are not taken to restore the confidence of Kenyans in this public body, then we may very well face an unpredictable 2017 process," said Raila.

It also emerged the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is studying documents to prosecute Kenyan electoral and examination council officials named in the Chickengate scandal, for which a United Kingdom court has convicted directors of a UK firm who bribed Kenyan officials.

Britain's Serious Fraud Office handed the documents to Sheria House last month and Attorney-General Githu Muigai in turn handed the data to the EACC. (See separate story)

The EU team, which is scheduled to meet IEBC today, called for adequate funding for the electoral commission ahead of next year's General Election.

 The delegation, led by Lojze Peterle who served as EU chief observer in the 2013 poll, is in the country to discuss and observe preparations ahead of the 2017 polls.

The delegation, however, said different political players had assured it of peaceful and credible polls.

Ms Peterle said it was important for IEBC to have "enough means to cover all the necessary aspects of the election" so as to safeguard its credibility.

This was in response to Raila's concerns over budgetary constraints facing the commission ahead of mass voter listing that starts on February 15.

CORD said having two biometric voter registration (BVR) kits in each of the 1,450 wards would mean a significant number of the kits would remain in store, posing the risk of manipulation.

The six-person delegation also seeks to follow up on the implementation of EU recommendations following the 2013 elections. The EU had recommended provision of mechanisms to ensure registration and voting of all eligible citizens, including prisoners and putting in place measures to regulate the amount of money spent on campaigns.

The Opposition also claimed that there were plans by the National Intelligence Service to infiltrate IEBC with the aim to interfere with the electoral process.

While making reference to IEBC's Sh475 million budget for security, Raila said great care must be taken to ensure police officers do not become electoral agents. CORD further complained about alleged attempts by President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration to weaken independent institutions.

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