Former Chief Justice David Maraga has urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to avoid any actions or statements that could undermine public confidence in the integrity of upcoming elections.
In a statement on Saturday, Maraga emphasized the urgency of convening a stakeholders’ meeting to address critical electoral matters, including the audit and inspection of the voter register, Diaspora voter registration, election technology, and legal reforms.
“Elections are a process whose trust and integrity must be exercised at all times, not just on Election Day. I call on IEBC to desist from any statements or actions that undermine citizen confidence in their ability to conduct free, fair and credible elections in accordance with the law and the Constitution,” he said.
He recalled his meeting with the Commission on 23 March, where he stressed the importance of “uncompromising ballot integrity and the faithful upholding of their Oath of Office.”
“We remain vigilant and ready to act. Power belongs to the citizens of Kenya,” he added, underscoring the need for transparency and accountability to safeguard the country’s democratic process ahead of the next elections.
His statement follows a recent clarification by IEBC regarding voter registration requirements, which sought to address confusion among Kenyans, particularly those who registered before 2012.
In a statement on Saturday, the Commission emphasised that citizens who registered prior to the introduction of the biometric system in 2012 are not required to register afresh unless they were not captured under the new system.
“Not at all unless they did not register as voters from 2012 when the new Register of Voters was established,” the IEBC said, seeking to reassure the public amid growing concerns.
The Commission explained that the shift from a manual to a biometric voter register in 2012 marked a major overhaul of Kenya’s electoral database, which has since been used in successive elections.
“Before 2012, the Register of Voters was manual. In 2012, it went biometric and all eligible Kenyans were required to enrol and have their biometrics captured,” the statement said.
The biometric register remains official, having undergone audits and updates to ensure accuracy, with the 2022 General Election register comprising 22,120,458 voters.
The clarification came amid reports of uncertainty among long-time voters and was aimed at calming public anxiety.
The Commission stressed that the directive only applies to individuals who may have missed registration in 2012 and urged citizens to rely on official communication, stating, “No panic. Hapa kazi tu!”
