DO proposes new voting system

Kenya will save millions of shillings and avoid a run-off in the forthcoming General Election if it adopts a new voting system, a candidate seeking a job in the new electoral body said on Thursday.

Mr Patrick Nyanje Kambi, 33, said the preferential voting system, currently being used in Australia, would be ideal.

In this system, he said, voters will be required to rank their candidates in order of relative preference.

“The voter will, in the ballot paper, have the choice of picking a second candidate alongside their preferred candidate,” said Mr Kambi, when he appeared before the Dr Ekuru Aukot-led selection panel interviewing candidates for positions in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

Mr Kambi is the Nairobi Central Business District DO.

According to the system, if no candidate secures an absolute majority, then the candidate with the least votes is “eliminated” from the count and his ballot papers reallocated amongst the remaining candidates.

If there’s still no clear winner, the process is repeated until there is a candidate with an absolute majority.

It differs with Kenya’s current voting method, which requires one to vote for one candidate.

Various opinion polls have indicated that the country would require a run-off between the top two presidential contestants.

Candidates who appeared before the panel included Mrs Matu Jane Wanjiru, a teacher, Mrs Mutheithia Annie Wanjira, Mr Jotham Okome Arwa and Mrs Ruth Khatievi Kulundu.

A panellist, Mrs Sophie Muturi, asked the candidates whether they were on any social networks and if the networks were useful in voting.

Mrs Wanjira said that although she was not on Facebook, it was important for civic education.

So far, 38 candidates out of the 44 who were short-listed for the IEBC commissioners’ posts have been interviewed.

Dr Aukot said that interviews for chairman would start next week.

IIEC’s Ahmed Isaack Hassan is among the eight candidates short-listed to head the commission.