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Our democracy needs a functioning IEBC

Its constitution needs to be above board so that all political players can accept it.

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by PAUL ILADO

Opinion06 February 2024 - 03:00
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In Summary


  • The commission has been without commissioners for a year after Wafula Chebukati and his two colleagues completed their terms
  • its constitution needs to be above board so that all political players can accept it.
A voter casts her ballot at a polling centre during by-elections on January 5.

A court has ruled that the constitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission should continue.

The commission has been without commissioners for a year after Wafula Chebukati and his two colleagues completed their terms. Their exit followed the controversial resignation of four other commissioners after they split over the conduct of the 2022 general election.

IEBC is an independent office established to run elections and delimit electoral boundaries in Kenya.

The commission also has the constitutional mandate to conduct and supervise referendums and elections to any elective body or office established by the Constitution, and any other elections as prescribed by an Act of Parliament.

Such is the importance of the commission that its constitution needs to be above board so that all political players can accept it.

The commission must be put in place so that it can conduct several pending by-elections and begin the boundary delineation process as required by the law.

It is important to remember that an independent electoral commission is essential for the proper functioning of democratic societies.

Interference with the work of the commission can compromise the integrity of the electoral process and erode the trust of citizens in the democratic process.

Quote of the Day: “The people who were trying to make this world worse are not taking the day off. Why should I?”

Bob Marley

The Jamaican reggae musician was born on February 6, 1945

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