IEBC considers online voting for Kenyans in diaspora

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has said it is contemplating setting up an online voting system for Kenyans living in the diaspora.

A post on Twitter indicates that chairman Wafula Chebukati intends to engage Parliament on the move that aims at cutting costs.

“Chairman @WChebukati, who is in Nigeria for a conference on election technology, calls on the Kenyan High Commission in Abuja. Says IEBC is considering online voting for Diaspora to cut costs- but must be secure and verifiable. Will engage Parliament, stakeholders on the same,” the tweet from IEBC reads.

In 2014, the Supreme Court ordered progressive registration of Kenyans living abroad to enable them take part in local elections.

The directive followed a petition by lobby New Vision Kenya and others against IEBC.

The court ordered the commission to register Kenyan citizens living in the diaspora and file periodic reports annually on such registration, for review by the National Assembly and the Senate.

It further directed the commission to set up infrastructure for comprehensive registration of Kenyan citizens living abroad.