ELOG calls for swift appointment of IEBC Commissioners for upcoming elections preparation
The Election Observation Group (ELOG) in Kenya has called for the immediate appointment of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners in Kenya for efficient electro-management of the next elections.
“This delay impacts electoral preparations, reforms, boundary delimitation, and voter education for the upcoming elections. The absence of commissioners hampers policy decisions, daily operations, and stakeholder trust-building,” part of the statement by the group reads.
The statement dated August 8, adds that without the commissioners, the IEBC would be in a state of limbo, as IEBC commissioners have the mandate to make policy decisions and oversee the day-to-day running of the secretariat affairs.
According to the Election Observation Group, the reason behind this issue has been the late appointment of commissioners into office (2016 – appointment of Chebukati team, 2021 – appointment of the Cherera 4). This leaves extraordinarily little wiggle room for the commissioners to have a robust public outreach program.
The term for the last IEBC commissioners ended in January 2023, with political disagreements between Azimio and the Kenya Kwanza Government halting their replacement.
A bipartisan parliamentary approach was eventually embraced, but over two months have passed with no resolution.
The bi-partisan talks resumed on Wednesday, August 9, after the Azimio-led anti-government protests, and they are still in progress.