Elections Observation Group (ELOG) have released a preliminary report on the ongoing second phase of Mass Voter Registration, touching on vital issues like the accessibility of registration centres, double registration and duplicate identification documents and cases of violence and voter bribery.
In an observation exercise carried out by 70 monitors in different constituencies, it was noted that 98 percent of the observed registration centres were easily accessible to persons with disabilities. In 97 percent of the areas covered, there was a generally friendly and conducive atmosphere in and around the registration centres.
From the exercise, 11 percent of centres reported cases of violence, with an example being in Migori County, where members of a certain Boda Boda group were kicked out for not registering as voters. There was also a bribery case in Homa Bay County where residents were given money once they registered.
According to the officials, the youth have another underlying issue which can be a viable reason why there has been low voter turnout among them. Some youth haven’t seen the need to register as they can’t point to any benefit they have got from the current government, and have cited the corruption and swindling of public funds as a flaw, adding that the opposition may go down the same route.
Aware of the peculiar habit of Kenyans rushing in to register at the last minute, ELOG has urged IEBC to put in place mechanisms that will ensure that all eligible voters get a chance to register as voters and that no one is locked out, especially those who turn out to register at the last minute.