The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) announced that it will undertake a Continuous Voter Registration exercise countrywide in August 2018.
IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati revealed that the exercise targeted to increase the 19.6 million register of voters by 3 percent by June 2019.
Speaking during a forum of the 47 County Election Managers and senior staff during a planning meeting, the Chairman declared that the exercise was a statutory requirement that must be accomplished.
Chebukati stated: “The Commission expects an increase in the number of voters by at least 3% based on past trends on CVR; from the current 19.6 Million voters enrolled as at 2017 in the currently certified register of voters to 20.1 Million by June 2019."
[caption caption="IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati and commissioners Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu "]
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The electoral body's Chairman added: “We also expect an improvement in the accuracy of the register of voters by implementing the KPMG recommendations so as to ensure an accurate, verifiable and comprehensive register of voters.”
He further explained that its purpose was to register eligible voters, especially the youth and special interest groups and to allow for transfers from one electoral area to preferred electoral areas.
The IEBC Chair added that the Commission was going to update the register of voters by correcting any errors identified during the KPMG audit.
“The significance of data sharing under a coordinated and harmonious work relationship between these entities cannot be gainsaid. Indeed the success and accuracy of the revised register depend on the information provided by these government entities,” Chebukati stated.
He also pointed out to the poll officials that their job was not only to conduct election after every five years but ensure the participation of stakeholders in the electoral process.
[caption caption="IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati when he appeared before Parliament"]
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Chebukati further stressed that the IEBC sought to collaborate with county governments to enhance civic and voter education in a bid to ensure that elections are not only free and fair but also produce credible leaders.
He ascertained that the Commission would engage stakeholders and sensitize the public before rolling out the program.
