IEBC reverts to manual voter registration

IEBC reverts to manual voter registration Written By:KBC Reporters,    Posted: Wed, Aug 01, 2012

Issack said the process will kick off immediately after the September 17th by-elections The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission- IEBC has reverted to the manual voter registration system following the controversy surrounding the biometric voter registration tendering process. In a statement sent to newsrooms Wednesday, IEBC chairman Ahmed Issack Hassan said that the manual voter registration exercise will commence immediately after the Ndhiwa, Kangema and Kajiado North constituencies by elections scheduled for September 17th. "In view of the time constraints to conduct a fresh BVR tendering process, the commission has resolved to use the Optical Mark Reader (OMR) for the voter registration process". Hassan said that the Commission will employ a large number of voter registration clerks and also liaise with other relevant Government agencies to ensure the accuracy of the voter register. "This exercise will include an update of the current voters register where those who were not in the register will be registered afresh while allowing those wishing to transfer to do so",  the statement said. Issack said  the system registered absolute success in the referendum and 12 by-elections and still remains valid. However, he said that the Electronic Voter Registration will be used in areas where it was being piloted. The move comes a day after a section of ODM MPs including Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang called on the electoral body to drop the biometric voter registration system. Justice and Constitutional affairs Minister Eugene Wamalwa also hailed the cancellation of the controversial tender terming it as a milestone towards ensuring a transparent process.