The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) faces urgent demands to demonstrate it has resolved longstanding concerns ahead of the August 9 General Election. Civil society groups and political parties have outlined critical requirements, including confirming how issues identified by the Supreme Court during the 2017 presidential election annulment have been addressed.
Stakeholders require assurance that the commission has established robust mechanisms to prevent last-minute technical failures during voting, vote counting, and result transmission. This includes verifying the functionality of technology procured months before the deadline, as questions persist about its installation and testing.
The IEBC’s credibility has been repeatedly challenged since the 2007 election chaos, with disputes over 2013 and 2017 results leading to court interventions. Critics argue transparency remains lacking, with the commission’s opaque planning fueling speculation about its preparedness.
"The agency is cutting it too close for comfort," a statement noted, highlighting concerns over delayed implementation of election safeguards. Addressing these issues is crucial to delivering a poll that meets international standards for fairness and verifiability.