MULE MUSAU: IEBC should engage everyone on laws, timelines

We are going to have elections whether IEBC is ready or not. The question then becomes: where are they in terms of preparedness?

We know they did not register the number of voters they had targeted. It means there is a particular shortage in the register.

We are also aware they have started inspection of the register as well as auditing. It is hoped that by the time we go to elections, the electoral agency will have cleaned the voter register of errors and confirmed the details of voters.

However, I do not think there is enough publicity about the exercise. People should be going to IEBC offices to confirm their details because this is a critical issue.

If people do not confirm their details, we may see voters being turned away at polling stations when they go to cast their ballot. IEBC needs to really urge people to go out there and confirm their voting details.

I also think there is no sufficient voter education. We have new laws which have come into place. It is important for the population to be aware of the implication of these new laws.

For instance, the public needs to be told how transmission of results will be done. IEBC is doing voter education but from where I sit, I have not seen massive rollout. On training of IEBC personnel, the last report we have says they have done about 35 per cent.

We wish they would engage all stakeholders, not just the political parties. This would include the civil society and the media so that everybody is very clear on the timelines, procedures and requirements.

There is also the issue of technology. It has not been very clear whether they settled software issues. People need to be told if they are testing equipment and training those who will handle them. It is an area that people do not know much about yet a critical part of the electoral process.

Elections Observation Group national coordinator spoke to the Star

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