Jubilee and ODM officials clash over draft election regulations

Jubilee and ODM leaders clashed on Friday over the draft election regulations which were developed by the electoral agency to guide next year’s polls.

ODM officials warned that they will not allow the Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to buy election technology equipment if the regulations are not subjected to broad consultations.

However, their Jubilee counterparts called for calm, arguing that the guidelines will be debated by Parliament before they are brought into force.

ODM Secretary-General Agnes Zani and director of elections Junet Mohammed said they were surprised that the draft regulations were developed by the electoral agency without consultations.

Mr Mohammed said they will not allow the commission to undertake major procurement of Information Communication Technology equipment to be used in the polls if the regulations are not firmed and assessed by various stakeholders.

The Suna East MP added that ODM will not allow Safaricom to be the sole provider of network services during the elections. “We will demand an international tender for all vital processes. We will not allow one network provider to dominate the exercise like it happened in the last elections, “he said.

He said the polls agency must handle procurements with care, adding that international tender scouters are already in the country angling for major election tenders.

WAS SCHEMING

Dr Zani claimed that the Jubilee administration was scheming to deny the IEBC funds to buy the biometric voter registration kits, electronic voter identification devices and the electronic results transmission systems. “We are aware of a plot by Jubilee not to fund the purchase of the equipment, hence preparing grounds for rigging,” she said.

But Senate Deputy Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen dismissed the claims as premature. “The problem with ODM and Cord is that they have a serious election fever. Now, this is part of a larger scheme to intimidate IEBC,” the Elgeyo Marakwet Senator said.

“These are draft regulations which will be brought to Parliament. Why not wait? Or better yet, why not address these concerns to the IEBC? It is still possible for the regulations to be rectified,” he added.

But in an explanatory memorandum to the National Assembly, IEBC Chief Executive Officer Ezra Chiloba has insisted that everyone was consulted. “To develop these draft Regulations, the commission consulted political parties,” Mr Chiloba said.

He said the commission has also held several workshops with relevant partners to ensure thorough consultations on the matter.

The regulations are expected to provide measures that will ensure transparent procurement of IT equipment by the commission. They also propose proper testing of the equipment.

They require the commission to seek help of a professional and reputable company to undertake certification of the equipment. The regulations also require the commission to develop a mechanism to detect and deal with possible intrusions and violation of the election technology system.