Public trust in IEBC plummets over BVR saga - poll

Kenyans’ faith in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission's (IEBC) ability to conduct free and fair elections has dropped from 83 percent in March this year to 76 percent by last month, according to the latest opinion poll survey.

Infotrak managing director Angela Ambitho attributed the dip to the controversial acquisition of electronic voter registration kits.

In October 2011, 74 percent of Kenyans believed the then just formed body was equal to the task, a confidence that grew to 83 percent in March this year. Seven months later, public trust has whittled to 77 percent.

The survey was conducted between October 29 and November 1, 2012.

“That drop can be attributed to the recent controversies that have faced IEBC and continued speculations that the electoral body might not be ready to conduct the polls come March, ” said Ms Ambitho while releasing results of the latest poll.

She however noted that IEBC’s decision to counter the speculations by stating that they are ready to conduct the polls on March 4, 2013 contributed greatly to restoring the confidence.

Asked whether they think the coming general elections will improve reconciliation efforts in the country, 57.8 percent of respondents answered in the affirmative.

Coast region, where the secessionist MRC group has vowed to disrupt the election exercise, recorded the lowest level of confidence in the IEBC at 55 percent, while central had the highest confidence level at 88 percent.

On the political front, the survey showed that there could be no presidential run off as the race crystallizes into a two horse race between Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his deputy Uhuru Kenyatta.

Voters expect the other presidential candidates to coalesce around these two front runners.

“The choice of running mates will be the game changer. The other candidates will only have to coalesce around the top two contenders to form a two horse race scenario,” Ms Ambitho said.

According to the polls, a Raila / Kalonzo ticket will beat an alliance of Uhuru / Ruto 52 - 48 per cent.

A Raila / Kalonzo ticket will also beat a Eugene Wamalwa / Charity Ngilu ticket 67-33 per cent in case Mr Kenyatta and Ruto are barred from running.

Ms Ambitho said the decision to pair the candidates as such was informed by on-going talks of alliances between the leading aspirants in forming pre-poll coalitions.