The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is working on a new project to establish a framework for the prevention of gender-based violence during elections.
The Commission, together with other stakeholders, is working on the creation of a manual that will be used to educate election officers on how to handle issues of gender-based violence.
IEBC further noted that the manual would be availed to all parties involved in the elections including the police and the Judiciary.
“The overall goal is to access justice for survivors of election gender-based violence and contribute to increased women’s participation in the electoral process,” IEBC's statement read in part.
Through the manual, IEBC hopes that its officers would gain knowledge on how to preserve evidence in and understand such cases of violence.
[caption caption="File image of police battling a woman"]
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Election officers and all other parties involved will also learn the Justice system for such cases and how to ensure that victims get fair play.
IEBC focused on the project following the violence that erupted during the October 26 repeat Presidential election.
During that period, a number of ladies were reportedly beaten up with some claiming that they were sexually assaulted.
Meanwhile, the Commission's vice-chairperson Consolata Nkatha on Sunday revealed the agency's activities since the Supreme Court ruling that upheld President Uhuru Kenyatta's win in the repeat presidential election.
Speaking at Nchuare in North Imenti, Ms Nkatha told reporters that the Commission had moved past the elections and was focussing on other matters.
[caption caption="File image of IEBC Vice Chair Consolata Nkatha"]
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"As far as IEBC is concerned, elections are behind us. We have to deal with the organization and many other things. We are working on our strategic plan, staff and all by-elections that are going to come," she stated.
