Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) worried about voters registering in ‘different’ districts
– Estimates from the IEBC are that at least 40% of registering voters are applying to change their polling centres
– All 17 electoral regions in Kenya are being affected
With so many voters attempting to register in new districts, concerns have been raised that politicians are attempting to lure voters.
So-called ‘voter importation’ is said to be rampant in Nairobi county.
Lilian Mahiri-Zaja, the vice chairperson for the IEBC, has warned politicians against using kickbacks as a means of convincing voters to transfer districts.
So where in Nairobi are the alleged transfer of votes taking place?
The practice is largely happening within Mathare, Embakasi and Lang’ata.
Ruth Kulundu, the Nairobi regional coordinator for the IEBC, said of the issue to the on Wednesday, February 24: “Many of those transferring want to register in Mathare and majority of them appear to be moving from constituencies in Embakasi,”
The trend has further caused concerns with Ezra Chiloba, the Chief Executive Officer, for the IEBC, who told the Daily Nation about the situation: “We are concerned that we are encountering substantial numbers of individuals seeking to transfer from their current centres to new ones compared to those coming to register afresh,”The IEBC is currently attempting to register four million voters in a one month drive that began on Monday, February 15.
The drive is expected to end on Tuesday, March 15.
Raila Odinga, the party leader for CORD, last week expressed dismay over what he considers to be ‘low’ voter registration turn out in Nyanza county.
Raila said of the issue: “I am not ready for the battle if we cannot mobilise enough voters to help ascend to the presidency in 2017. We must start door-to-door campaign in all villages to ensure we have numbers… This time I do not want to say I have been rigged… we want to win by a landslide,”
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