General elections in Kenya: the electoral commission promises “a free and credible ballot”
Supporters of Azimio La Umoja (One Kenya Coalition Party) during a rally at Kirigiti Stadium, Kiambu, Kenya, on August 1, 2022, ahead of the general elections AFP - PATRICK MEINHARDT
Text by: RFI Follow
3 mins
In 2017, an unprecedented event in African history, the Supreme Court annulled the poll, accusing the electoral commission (IEBC) of having "failed" to conduct elections respectful of the Constitution.
This time, its president promises “
a free and credible ballot
”.
He gave a press conference on Monday.
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The watchword for the Kenyan electoral commission is clear, one week before the vote: reassure, reports
our correspondent in Nairobi,
Florence Morice
.
“
I want to confirm here and to the whole world that we are ready to give Kenyans what they deserve: a free, fair and credible election,
declared Wafula Chebukati, the president of this commission.
And not only that.
We want to do this in a transparent and responsible way.
»
In front of the press, Commissioner Francis Wangeri detailed at length the security measures taken to avoid a repeat of the 2017 scenario, emphasizing what had been the most problematic: the transmission of results.
“
People who talk about possible cheating probably have in mind the events of 2013 and maybe 2017. But for these elections of 2022, we are almost 100% sure that no one will be able to cheat.
Because the results announced in the polling stations will be final.
Even the chairman of the commission cannot modify them.
»
However, Kenyans' confidence in the commission remains measured.
According to a recent poll by the Tifa Institute, more than half of voters consider it “
quite likely
” that a candidate who loses the ballot will be declared the winner.
► To read also: Presidential election in Kenya: initiatives in favor of a peaceful election are multiplying
Civil society observers already mobilized
ELOG, a citizen election observation collective, plans to deploy 5,000 observers to polling stations across the country on 9 August.
Civil society actors in Meru, in the central region of Mount Kenya, gathered for a discussion around the deployment of observers to polling stations, noted
our special correspondent in Meru,
Albane Thirouard
.
Francis Remberia listens attentively.
This reverend has already observed two elections: “
It is very important to have people on site to check if there is chaos or attempts to steal votes.
Once, for example, there was an elderly lady who was tried to be given money to change her vote.
She refused, but I told the officers and noted it in my report.
»
Eustace Kinyua is responsible for the electoral process within ELOG.
He recalls the points of vigilance: "
We pay attention to the opening and closing of the polling station, to the conduct of the vote, then to the counting and transmission of the results and to questions such as: is the ballot box was empty when opened?
Were there acts of violence?
Or how many registered voters there were in this polling station and does that correspond to what is given, at the end of the day?
»
Beyond D-Day, the organization also observes the entire process, as Eustace Kinyua points out: “
We already have concerns about certain points such as the electoral register or the way the parties conducted their primaries.
All of these aspects help us determine whether the process was free, fair and peaceful.
»
Eustace Kinyua hopes that on August 9, the presence of observers at polling stations will deter attempts at rigging.
The European Union, African Union, EAC and IGAD, among others, have also announced to deploy observer missions to Kenya for the vote.
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