CS Rotich wants Presidential, Parliamentary polls staggered to cut cost

CS Rotich wants Presidential, Parliamentary polls staggered to cut cost

Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich has proposed that the presidential and Parliamentary elections be held on different dates.

Speaking when he appeared before the Joint Parliamentary Select Committee on IEBC on Wednesday, Rotich said that holding the elections on different dates would be less costly and ensure efficiency in the management of elections.

In the proposal, Rotich suggests that presidential and governorship elections be held on a separate date with senatorial, parliamentary and county assembly elections.

“Staggering of the General Election to hold separate polls for the parliamentary and presidential polls would enhance efficiency, better management of human resources and ultimately reduce the cost of elections,” he said.

Rotich also weighed in on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) debate saying there is a contingency fund that would go towards settling their pay package should they choose to quit.

He noted that, though unplanned and unbudgeted for, funds can be taken from the contingency fund to pay out the commissioners for the remainder of their term and gratuity if they voluntarily leave office.

“For 2017 general election we have looked at the IEBC electoral management plan and have allocated IEBC Sh14.5 billion for preparation ahead of the next polls,” he said.

Rotich reveals that it cost Sh2,100 per voter in 2013 General Election bringing the total cost to Sh31.7 billion. The budget for 2007 elections was Sh12.6 billion.

He noted that the high cost of holding elections is driven by high expenditure in ICT and acquisition of new voter technologies as well as the holding of all the six elections on the same day.

IEBC has been under constant attack by members of the opposition CORD over their alleged ineptitude at holding the next elections.

CORD accused the commission of bias saying they had been promised government appointment after the next elections if they rigged the elections in favour of Jubilee, allegations that IEBC chair Issack Hassan has denied.

The opposition’s dissatisfaction with the placement of IEBC as the body to oversee the next elections led to the formation of a joint committee encompassing members of CORD and Jubilee to discuss and find a solution to the impasse.

Tags:

IEBC Henry Rotich

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories