Uchaguzi platform calls for urgent reconstitution of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 31…The members of uchaguzi platform led by Election observation Group (ELOG), Electoral Law and Governance Institute for Africa (ELGIA), Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD-K), Constitution and Reform Education Consortium (CRECO), Mzalendo Trust and Transparency International Kenya (TI-Kenya) have called for urgent reconstitution of Independence Electrol and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Country’s Electoral body has remained without commission for 2 years following expiry of term of IEBC Commissioners including Chairperson, resignation of 3 other and dismissal of one in 2023.
Following gazettement and swearing in of new selection panel, members of uchaguzi platform called on the panel to conduct its work with utmost independece, impartiality, transparency, inclusivity as well as commitment to all stages of recruitment process until its logical conclusion.
“All stakeholders particularly the political class to respect the process and afford the selection panel ample opportunity to complete its legal mandate so as to safeguard integrity of the process”, they said.
They further called on Media agencies and civil society organizations to actively monitor and share updates on the recruitment process to ensure sustained transparency and compliance with the law.
“Uchaguzi members encourage all applicants who qualify under the law, meeting the constitutional and legal requirements and who demonstrate uptitude, integrity and commitment to apply for the IEBC Commissioner roles upon advertisement”.
Furthermore, they highlighted timely allocation of sufficient resources to IEBC for successful electoral planning execution noting that budgetary constraints risk undermining the electoral body.
Subsequently, Uchaguzi noted that issuance of national IDs for those who have turn 18 years have significantly improved with students in form 4 who have attained the legal age to immediately register for IDs.
“We urge members of the public who have attained 18 years and above who still do not have IDs to register for the same, we also ask those who have applied for their IDs to move with speed and collect them”, Uchaguzi members added.
“County governments in collaboration with national government administration should initiate regular mobile ID registration drives targeting learning institutions and youth centres”.
