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conducting elections. It must gain the trust of actors across the political divide.
voter identification and transmission system malfunction.
As things stand, the official opposition has expressed reservations about the commission’s neutrality, efficiency and readiness to conduct elections.
The main reason for grounding the electronic system in law was to prevent the election malpractices cited in the Kriegler Report following the 2007 election. Resorting to a manual system could open the door for voter numbers to be manipulated.
These tensions have been playing out in the High Court. The main contention currently, between IEBC and the opposition, is the April 7 High Court ruling which directed that constituencies would be the final voter tallying centres. Another factor likely to trip up the commission is the amended election law. This allows it to activate a manual backup system should the electronic
The opposition also has little faith in the judiciary. The courts have repeatedly assured Kenyans of their readiness to handle presidential election petitions. But scepticism persists. Despite the tensions, Kenya is in better shape than it was in 2007 and 2008. www.theafricanpro.com
But it remains dangerously close to the precipice. The 2017 elections will once again test the country’s legal framework and institutional capability to undertake credible, free, fair and peaceful elections. If it does, then Kenya will have continued to consolidate its future as a democracy. However, a shambolic election will obviously take the country back to its traditional history of anxiety and unpredictability around each election cycle.
SEKOU TOURE OTONDI The Conversation