Public confidence in IEBC drops - poll

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Issack Hassan (right), CEO Ezra Chiloba (centre) and Commissioner Muthoni Wangai during the launch of mass voter registration exercise at the Pumwani Social Hall on February 15, 2016. A report by a Canadian diplomat may give embattled electoral commission bosses a new lease of life. PHOTO | DIANA NGILA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • For instance, among Jubilee supporters, confidence in the electoral body has waned from 63 per cent in November last year to 57 per cent last month.
  • Among Cord supporters, the confidence levels are at an all-time low of seven per cent, down from 15 per cent seven months ago.
  • The poll was conducted between June 4 and June 18 at the height of protest rallies called by Cord leaders to push for the removal of IEBC commissioners.

Kenyans’ confidence in the ability of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to manage the next general election has dropped over the last seven months, according to a new opinion poll.

The poll by Ipsos shows that the confidence levels have dropped from 40 per cent last November to 34 per cent last month.

It shows that both Jubilee and Cord supporters have gradually lost confidence in the embattled electoral body over the period.

For instance, among Jubilee supporters, confidence in the electoral body has waned from 63 per cent in November last year to 57 per cent last month.

Among Cord supporters, the confidence levels are at an all-time low of seven per cent, down from 15 per cent seven months ago.

The poll was conducted between June 4 and June 18 at the height of protest rallies called by Cord leaders to push for the removal of IEBC commissioners.

Overall, the poll shows that more Kenyans (47 per cent) do not believe the IEBC can manage the 2017 election, compared with 34 per cent who say they have confidence in the institution.

Among Jubilee supporters, 57 per cent are confident the electoral commission can effectively oversee the 2017 poll as opposed to only 25 per cent who feel otherwise.

Among Cord supporters, an overwhelming 81 per cent do not have confidence in the institution while only seven per cent say they still have confidence in the Ahmed Issack Hassan–led team.

PROTESTS

A majority of Cord supporters who were interviewed expressed support for the protests to push out the election officials (62 per cent), with 34 per cent expressing a contrary opinion.

Ninety-one per cent of Jubilee supporters rejected the protests outright, with only nine per cent showing support.

Overall, 67 per cent of those interviewed voiced opposition to the protests, with 30 per cent supporting them.

Sixty-eight per cent of those interviewed said they were aware that the protests were called by Cord to force a change of guard at the electoral body.

The poll showed awareness was higher in urban areas (74 per cent) as opposed to 65 per cent of the rural folk.

In terms of gender, more men (79 per cent) were aware of the protests than women (59 per cent). In terms of political leanings, more Cord supporters (75 per cent) were aware of the protests than Jubilee supporters (71 per cent).

The poll also shows that the Okoa Kenya campaign spearheaded by Cord to change the Constitution suffered from lack of awareness, with only 41 per cent of those interviewed saying they knew what it was all about.

In rural areas, only 38 per cent were aware of the initiative as opposed to 46 per cent in urban areas.

In terms of gender, more men (52 per cent) were aware of the campaign than women (32 per cent).

Awareness was higher among Cord supporters (50 per cent) against only 40 per cent of Jubilee supporters.