Busia County could go to 2017 general elections with 400,000 voters expected to cast their voters if IEBC’s projected figures are anything to go by.
In 2013 polls the County had a total of 251,305 registered voters. The figure has risen to 284,335 after the Mass voter registration in March 2015.
According to statistics released by IEBC Matayos Sub County Coordinator Daniel Mogoria, Teso South leads in the number of registered voters with 48,309 up from 41,835 in 2013.
Matayos has 46,476 compared to 41,222 in 2013. Butula has 46,076 against 40,803. Teso North has registered 42015 against 37,213, Funyula 36,199 against 31,996, Nambale 34654 against 30,881 and Budalangi 30164 compared to 27,355 in 2013.
Mogoria said there are 112,000 people with identity cards who have not registered. “We are hoping they will all acquire voter’s cards plus others who shall have acquired IDs before the start of the Mass Voter Registration 2 on 20th December, 2016,” he said.
The IEBC official said poor turnout and low registration is hindering the County to enjoy tyranny of numbers. “The County will be a force to reckon with if it hits the 400,000 mark.”
Mogoria urged politicians to enlighten their residents on the need to register as voters saying that is the only way they can boast of a tyranny of numbers.
“Propagandists have been peddling rumours that underage can use passports to register as voters. The PVR kit will reject with a warning that the person does not qualify,” he said.
Mogoria said those who wish to change their voting points have until May 2017 when they will close the window. Continuous Voting Registration, he said, is still on-going at the Constituency headquarters.