Anxiety has gripped Kenyans at large after new IEBC boss Wafula Chebukati announced that election deadlines could be affected.
Addressing the press on Thursday, Chebukati stated that the Court’s decision to cancel a Sh2.5 billion tender awarded to a Dubai-based firm for printing of ballot papers would affect the IEBC preparations for the General Election.
“Court decisions relating to procurement of election materials are likely to interfere with election deadlines,” Mr Chebukati said.
The IEBC boss also disclosed that he was surprised with the court’s decision to extend the voter registration exercise by two days.
The commission's Communications Manager Andrew Limo said the cost per day to conduct voter registration was Sh37.3 million. This includes Sh3.1 million to store Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits and charging batteries, Sh15.5 million to transport the kits across the country and Sh18.7 million to pay voter registration personnel.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, an official from the IEBC failed to disclose which deadlines could be affected only stating they would get back. By the time of going to the press, the official was yet to respond.
On Monday, high court judge, George Odunga cancelled the tender stating that the electoral body had not adhered to the Election Laws (Amendment) Act 2016 before awarding the tender.
“It was unreasonable for IEBC to proceed with the award of tender without taking into account the new regulations,” Justice Odunga said.
He directed IEBC to begin a fresh tendering process which adheres to the applicable laws. The electoral body has, however, appealed the decision in court.
