• The estimated budget required for the implementation of the plan is Sh86 million.
• The plan further seeks to review of the IEBC Act, Elections Act, Election Campaign Financing Act, Election Technology Act, Electoral Regulations and Political Parties Act.
Image: CHARLENE MALWA
Kenyan citizens residing outside the country may soon register as voters and participate in elections.
A strategic plan developed by IEBC seeks to push for a review of legislation on the participation of citizens residing outside Kenya.
The IEBC Strategic Plan 2020-2024 seeks to review legislation “for the progressive registration of citizens residing outside the country and the progressive realisation of their right to vote.”
It pursues to amend Regulations 34-39 of Part VIII of the Elections (Registration of Voters) Regulations, 2012 on the registration of Kenyan citizens residing outside Kenya.
IEBC staff and stakeholders will be sensitised on laws on registration, according to the plan.
The estimated budget required for the implementation of the planned targets is Sh86 million.
Under the plan, continued integration of information technology is expected to enhance effectiveness and efficiency in the electoral process.
Integration of information technology is further expected to lead to the realisation of an inclusive process where all segments of the Kenyan population, including the marginalised communities, Kenyan citizens residing outside the country and women and persons with living disability actively participate in the electoral process.
“The integration of information technology is also expected to reduce cases of electoral disputes,” IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati said.
The plan further seeks to review the IEBC Act, Elections Act, Election Campaign Financing Act, Election Technology Act, Electoral Regulations and Political Parties Act in collaboration with the office of the Registrar of Political Parties.
The legal framework on boundaries' delimitation will also be reviewed and rules and regulations developed to take into account the special needs of persons with disability and other persons or groups with special needs.
The Election Campaign Financing Regulations 2016 will be reviewed to regulate the amount of money that may be spent by or on behalf of a candidate or a party in any election.
IEBC will undertake research on comparative analysis of spending limits and donations and develop internal procedures for monitoring, disclosure and reporting on campaign financing by political parties.
IEBC will further conduct targeted voter registration for minorities, marginalised and special interest groups.
Capping of voters per polling station will also be re-looked.
IEBC has so far developed and implemented strategic plans for the years 2011-2015 and 2015-2020. The plan launched on Tuesday was the commission’s third covering 2020-2024.
The plan focuses on six key result areas: Strengthening the corporate governance, strengthening the legal framework, the effective conduct of elections, enhanced public outreach, equitable representation and strengthening strategic operations of the commission.
It also takes into consideration the dynamic nature of the electoral environment as well as the expectations of Kenyans for the impending electoral boundary review, referenda and the 2022 General Election.