CORD accuses Jubilee, IEBC of working to stall electoral reforms

The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) has accused the Jubilee administration of working in cohorts with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to stall the implementation of electoral reforms.

In a press address on Tuesday, November 15, CORD Management Committee co-chairmen; James Orengo, Johnston Muthama and Eseli Simiyu, claimed that there was a plan by the government to lag in the implementation of the reforms to create loopholes that would enable them rig the 2017 General Election.

Orengo said that IEBC was engaging in random inspection of register for purposes of public relations while putting in place a technical committee to destroy the foundation of the Election Law (Amendment) Act 2015 to upset Section 17 that provides for the establishment of Integrated Electronic System.

“IEBC has drafted regulations to implement use of technology which downplays stringent conditions set out in the Election Act to avoid oversight by relevant institutions and parties on matters of transparency and acquisitions,” said Orengo.

“The new legal regime demands exhaustive audit of voter register based on mandatory requirement that each voter’s biometric be captured for verification purposes and to secure accuracy of register.”

The Siaya Senator noted that Jubilee and IEBC were opposed to the reduction of number of voters per polling station to frustrate the direct transmission and declaration of results and give them room to rig the polls.

He also claimed that the commission is avoiding engaging CORD in a bid to have a freehand to tamper with the polls pointing at efforts to have the next elections postponed and thus extending the tenure of the current Parliament and the President.

In his address, Eseli, who is the Tongaren Member of Parliament, claimed that IEBCSecretariat was setting up the stage for another Chickengate scandal where the same commission officials were allegedly bribed to fraudulently award tenders for the supply of electronic devices to a British company.

He further claimed that there are attempts by Jubilee to use its majority numbers in Parliament to effect changes in the Election Law (Amendment) Act.

“Elections are based on voter register, the law provides for one register, without it being put into place after verification of voters, the elections may only be an abstract.”

“We demand, therefore, that IEBC should stop any exercises in regards to Election Law (Amendment) Act 2015, including advertising and awarding of tenders, until new commissioners are appointment,” said Eseli.

He threatened to call the country to action, should IEBC and the Jubilee government make it impossible to have an enabling environment for a free and fair election.

“Major coalitions must have representatives in the technical committee under Section 8 of the Election Act because we do not recognise representation of lawyers as valid. We must be included in any plans with any amendments to the Act withdrawn,” demanded Eseli.

Muthama, on his part, said there would be no change in election dates saying the timetable must be kept and obeyed to the latter.

“The current term of IEBC, including the CEO and directors of departments, must be vetted and any acts of misconduct reported.”

He further reiterated earlier claims by CORD that no elections will be held until the proposed reforms are implemented.

“Nobody should interfere with nomination of members and chairman of the new commission and should be expedited with respect to integrity.”

Both IEBC and Jubilee are yet to respond to the allegations.