Elections Watch: Voter Register Inspection

In every sense the Kenyan electoral process was reborn after the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution. We had to set up a new electoral commission, register political parties and voters afresh. Now the electoral wheel has been set in motion. With less than 54 days to go till the start of the elections, there still remains a number of critical aspects that need resolution before Kenyans can go to the Ballot.

Even with the IEBC being able to register 14.3 Million voters, which was about 4 million shy of its target, it is vital that the registered voters are able to confirm the details retained by the IEBC to prevent the eventuality of them being turned down from voting on election day.

This very important undertaking is yet to take off three weeks since the close of the voter registration exercise. Even worse is the fact that Kenyans have no idea that the process of voter register inspection and verification exists. Many Kenyans assume that with them having gone through a registration process that utilised the much hyped Bio Metric technology, then the accuracy of the process is assured to the highest degree. All this is indeed quite to the contrary. Voter register inspection is still very important regardless of the confidence levels in the technology employed especially considering that this is the first time a newly established commission has employed the technology relied upon. Every voter needs to verify that the details entered into the IEBC system correlates with their own personal information and the particular centres they intended to take out their vote.

Before the Elections Act was amended the Principal Register of Voters was meant to be opened for inspection within a span of 30 days. However, with the Elections (Amendment) (No.4) Act, 2012 becoming law, this process has been shortened to a record 14 days. Whether the IEBC can be able to  actually be able to inform the 14.3 Million Registered voters of their need to inspect the Register for anomalies and have a substantial majority of them undertake the verification exercise in the 14 day period is a question that needs to be answered. Up until the date of publication of this post, there has been no word as to when the exercise is set to begin.

The only information available is the information contained in law and The Elections (Registration of Voters) Regulations, 2012  regulating the voter register inspection exercise. The regulations under Part V provide for avenues to follow especially when one needs to make a claim in the event that their name is not included in the register after having undergone the registration exercise. One is meant to submit a claim to the registration officer however according to the regulations  Section 17(2), one cannot make such a claim within 90 days to the election. In keeping with this such a claim can only be made before the 4th of January. Unless the regulations are revised, then making of any such claim would be illegal. 

As an engaged citizen it is important that you seek out information on the modality of confirming your voter details and the channels of redress. Once you know, help to let others know too.