Kenya falls back to manual electoral register

Kenya's electoral commission has decided to drop a controversy-ridden tender for a biometric voter register and resorted to a manual option.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) announced the decision on Tuesday night and said it will commence the manual voter registration immediately after the September 17 by-elections in Ndhiwa, Kangema and Kajiado North constituencies.

"In view of the time constraints to conduct a fresh BVR tendering process, the commission has resolved to use the Optical Mark Reader (OMR) for the voter registration process," said IEBC chairman Ahmed Isaack Hassan in a statement.

"We assure Kenyans that OMR voter register was used in the 2010 Referendum, in all 12 by elections and 50 civic wards.  This register with over 12.4 million voters is valid."

Mr Hassan said the commission will use the services of many clerks over a long period during the voter registration process.

However, the electronic voter registration continue to be used in constituencies where they were piloted, Mr Hassan said.

IEBC said the registration will include an update of the current voters' register. Mr Hassan said those who wish to transfer to another voting centre will be allowed to do.

"The commission will engage with Kenyans, including Political Parties and civil society in the voter registration and inspection process," he said.

"The process of guaranteeing voter register integrity shall be open and collaborative."