IEBC Granted Powers To Declare Vehicles As Polling Stations In The New Bill
Kenyans have expressed concern online about a clause that allows the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to designate a vehicle as a polling station for a specific electoral area.
This raised concerns about the elections’ credibility and transparency if the commission chose vehicles as polling stations.
Furthermore, it is unclear whether the vehicle or vessel will remain stationary for three months until the elections.
The conversation occurred as President William Ruto signed the IEBC (Amendment) Bill 2024 into law on Tuesday morning, with many claiming that the clause is included in the bill.
We welcome every stakeholder to work with us in addressing the existential challenges and threats facing Kenya. Through broad-based political mechanism, we can rally the country forward.
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) July 9, 2024
At KICC, Nairobi, assented to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)… pic.twitter.com/spYOpQvsyV
This included Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni, who criticized the bill and demanded that the clause be repealed before the bill was signed.
He read malice into the clause, claiming that it allowed the current regime to rig the 2027 elections.
“I don’t thing Kenyans are fools to allow this kind of an amendment to pass. Even as he signs, this is one of the areas that requires to be sent back to parliament for deletion. This is a clear way of trying to rig elections and we know that Ruto is permanently looking for ways of bringing himself into power,” Kioni stated.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna cleared the air following speculation about the bill, confirming that the clause is included in the Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
Elections (Amendment) Bill versus IEBC (Amendment) Bill
The IEBC (Amendment) Bill, 2024, allows for the appointment of new IEBC commissioners, facilitating the electoral agency’s reconstitution.
Furthermore, it establishes a mandatory review of the conduct of general elections, with a comprehensive report published within eighteen months of the elections.
On the other hand, the Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2024, contains changes to the electoral process.
Clause 38A of the bill grants the Commission the authority to designate a vehicle or vessel as a polling station for each electoral area and officially publish them in electronic and print media, specifying the polling stations established for each area at least three months before any election date.
“No election shall be conducted in a place other than a place gazetted as a polling station under the subsection (above),” reads part of the bill.
The bill is sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and his Minority counterpart, Stewart Madzayo.
It is currently in the public participation stage before returning to the Senate for second and third readings.
During the public participation phase, Kenyans can submit their comments, which will be considered during the Second Reading stage, where senators will be required to vote either for or against the amended bill.
IEBC Granted Powers To Declare Vehicles As Polling Stations In The New Bill
