As the voter registration exercise comes to a close on November 4, a section of lawmakers has called for a deadline extension, noting that more than half of the targeted 4.5 million voters are yet to register.
The Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has noted that the numbers have not improved as of Thursday, October 28, the commission has registered just a little over 800,000 voters out of its ambitious target.
Rarieda MP Otiende Omollo cited his reason for the extension as the recent vacation of the curfew stating that the curfew hindered voters from registering, especially for those in urban areas who have to travel to their hometowns to register.
"With the removal of curfew, it is befitting that they extend the registration process," he remarked at Azimio La Umoja campaign rally.
Wajir West MP Ahmed Kolosh remarked that voter registration in the North Eastern Region was not possible owing to the harsh drought experienced in the area that makes it difficult for people to travel many kilometres to register.
"We want to urge IEBC to suspend the exercise of voter registration forthwith so that this exercise, especially for Northern Kenya, can resume when the rains come," he added.
A section of Orange Democratic Party (ODM) MPs is also calling on the commission to extend the registration process by two months asking that the commission resubmit budget proposals to cover a proper mass voter registration exercise.
Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi who led the MPs stated that the reviewed budget proposals would allow for a new voters list and facilitate more equipment to fast-track the process.
IEBC Commissioner Francis Wanderi also proposes for the deadline extension to allow for university and college students more time to register as the idea to take registration to the institutions came late, therefore calling for an extension.
The IEBC body, however, decries the lack of funding for an extension of the exercise and notes that the late enactment of electoral laws - which was too close to the polls - partially contributed to the low numbers.
During the reading of the budget, Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani in June 2021, allocated only Ksh14.5 billion to the electoral board for the financial year 2021/2022 to cater to voter registration, elections and maintenance of technology.
The commission envisages a surge in numbers in the last-minute rush to register therefore remains optimistic in its bid to achieve its estimated target.
On October 14, the IEBC launched a voter registration drive in institutions of higher learning targeting over 2 million youth as part of the commission's bid to spur the numbers.
IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati also announced that the commission would allow for registration to be conducted in open places to facilitate registration, voter information and polling for People with Disability( PWDs).
