Kenya’s electoral body finalising preps for August polls

NAIROBI. — The Kenyan Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is finalising establishment of supportive infrastructure and training of personnel in readiness for the August 8 polls, an official said on Tuesday.

Ezra Chiloba, the CEO of IEBC told reporters in Nairobi that besides acquisition of digital kits, the printing of ballot papers has gone over drive to ensure general elections are held on the planned date.

“We would like to assure Kenyans and our bilateral partners that the commission is ready to conduct polls as scheduled and we have a team in place to facilitate the setting up of vital election infrastructure,” said Chiloba.

He revealed that a test run on digital kits that will be used to transmit election results has been ongoing and will soon be deployed to over 40,000 polling stations countrywide.

“The test runs on electronic gadgets that will be used during the August polls has been ongoing to forestall glitches. We have also enhanced training of polling clerks to ensure they oversee elections in a professional and non partisan manner,” Chiloba said.

Kenyans are bracing for a hotly contested election of a new president, lawmakers, county executives and ward representatives in early August.

The electoral agency has assured the public it is adequately prepared to oversee the polls that are expected to have a huge bearing on Kenya’s political landscape and diplomatic engagement with foreign allies.

Chiloba noted that Kenya’s advanced electoral infrastructure will ensure the exercise is credible and transparent to avert civil disruptions.

“It will be easier to manage the forthcoming general elections despite the stiff competition and high degree of expectations because we have acquired tamper proof gadgets that will be used to verify voters’ identity and transmit results on real time basis,” said Chiloba.

He added the electoral agency has recruited highly qualified personnel that will be deployed to polling stations to oversee the voting exercise.

At the same time, Chiloba said the electoral agency has contracted local and foreign technology firms to install high speed internet in 338 tallying centers spread across the country.

“We have an enhanced network coverage in tallying centers compared to 2013. This is a positive signal on the level of our preparedness to handle a daunting exercise,” Chiloba remarked. – Xinhua

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