Selection of new IEBC commissioners set to kick off

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is now set for transition after a select committee of parliament agreed on a framework to facilitate the body’s reconstitution.

The joint parliamentary select committee on electoral matters also agreed on a nine member selection panel to steer the recruitment process that should take effect two weeks after a bill on electoral reforms is passed.

In a joint communiqué released by the 14 member committee on Friday, a framework will be designed to ensure that the current nine IEBC commissioners are accorded a dignified vacation from office.

This will entail the payment of unearned emoluments and gratuity to the commissioners who still have over 14 months in office, before their six year contracts legally expire in November next year.

The nine member selection panel comprising of four nominees from the Parliamentary Service Commission and five representing religious groups will be mandated to recruit new electoral commissioners.

The 14 member team also made concessions to have the IEBC be by law required to conduct a fully automated election in the areas of voter registration, voter identification during elections as well as the transmission of results.

This, the committee says is aimed at stemming any cheating or rigging in polls.

The select committee further said that within 90 days of enactment of the committee’s recommendation, the audit of voters roll must be completed by an audit firm with international repute and the reviewed register shared with all political parties for accountability.

The committee is expected to table the report and a draft Bill before parliament on Tuesday next week, while also issuing copies to the Jubilee and Cord leaderships outside parliament.