IEBC Invites United Nations Experts for the Repeat Presidential Election

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has promised to be more open and transparent in its preparation for the October 26th repeat presidential election.

In a letter addressed to opposition party National Super Alliance (Nasa), IEBC said it has invited technical experts from the United Nations and the Commonwealth as well as representatives of presidential candidates into the electoral ICT team to ensure more transparency.

The Commission also said the media will be given a nod to cover the declaration of poll results in the 290 constituency tallying centres.

The electoral commission also said it has a two-year contract with Al Ghurair to print ballots and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) had offered to procure the materials for the repeat poll.

IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati further revealed that some Returning Officers will be transferred, while others may face disciplinary action as a result of invalidated August 8th elections.

The commission further said the media and other independent observers will be allowed to access the entire electoral process including ballot paper printing, deployment and reception of election materials, polling, counting at the polling stations and tallying at both the constituency and national centre.

“The commission will provide access to accredited media houses to cover results announcements at all levels. Media will be encouraged to show a live feed of the verified results,” the commission said in the letter.

“All forms 34A will be reprinted with the candidate and polling station names,” Mr Chebukati said.

The commission insisted that due to time constraints, Dubai-based Al Ghurair Company will print ballot papers and result forms and French firm OT-Morpho will supply result transmission system for the fresh presidential poll.