IEBC must move fast and restore confidence following tender fiasco

Kenyans are greatly angered by what is happening at IEBC concerning the voter registration kit tendering process.

Apparently, the whole process is marred with corruption allegations, and with memories of the bungled 2007 elections still fresh in our minds, I fear for the worst. Most Kenyans have placed their hopes of a free and fair 2013 General Election on the shoulders of IEBC.

Therefore, anything that raises questions on the electoral body’s integrity points to another catastrophic elections.

However, all is not lost in ensuring free and fair elections. This is not the responsibility of IEBC alone. The media, in my view, have a bigger role to play in this exercise than any other body else.

In politics, it is quite difficult for human beings to remain totally neutral. IEBC is led by people who, obviously, have preferences.

They might be tempted to favour certain politicians, political parties, and business companies. This, in my opinion, is why the tendering process is experiencing all this drama.

In this case, independent media will compel IEBC to be neutral. Media have a watchdog role over the Executive, Judiciary, Legislature, and any other public organs like IEBC. It is therefore important that they keep tabs on politicians and IEBC and expose any malpractice.

Politicians have in the past manipulated electoral bodies for their own vested interests. A point in case is 2007. I urge the media to rise up and play its oversight role in ensuring a free and fair 2013 election.

NICK ONGOYA, Nairobi

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Give answers

The raging IEBC debate revolving around 3.6 billion kit scandal has cast a negative light on the electoral body.

The confidence that scores of Kenyans have so far bestowed on the commission is very much at stake unless the commission moves with speed to provide answers to the lingering questions on the awarding of tenders for Biometric Voter Registration.

Indeed, many questions are being asked on the criteria that was followed in order to give Symphony the tender and to disqualify other companies.

It is alleged that due diligence in tendering was not adhered to, and that the company that awarded the tender was not the first in the evaluation process.

It is further alleged that original evaluation report showed that the firms touted as leading in the tender did not meet all the conditions set by the polls body.

Questions have also been raised on the capability and experience of symphony. We need answers.

VIVERE NANDIEMO, Ikerege