A coalition of Kenyan lawmakers, led by MP Caroli Omondi, plans to introduce an Elections Amendment Bill in Parliament, seeking to limit the powers of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) ahead of the 2027 General Election. The bill aims to restrict the IEBC Chairperson's role to aggregating and announcing presidential results as declared at constituency tallying centres. This move comes after the High Court upheld the national tallying centre but barred the IEBC from altering presidential results already declared at constituency level.
The proposed changes to the Elections Act are aimed at addressing concerns over electoral manipulation. The coalition argues that the current law has gaps that could be exploited to alter figures at the national tallying centre. The bill seeks to clarify the tallying and declaration of presidential results, ensuring that constituency results are transmitted and made public without alteration or delay. This move has been welcomed by some, who believe it will help ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
The High Court ruling that prompted the coalition's move was a result of a petition filed by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah and other leaders. The court urged Parliament to tighten electoral laws ahead of the 2027 General Election. The coalition's bill aims to reflect the court's position, ensuring that the IEBC Chairperson only aggregates and announces results as declared at constituency tallying centres, without re-tallying or re-verifying the figures.
The proposed bill also seeks to remove the national tallying centre, a move that has been supported by some as a way to prevent electoral manipulation. According to Muthoni Ouko, a member of the People's Coalition, constituency results should be transmitted and made public without alteration or delay. The coalition believes that this will help ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
The IEBC Chairperson will be required to announce the presidential winner based on results received from constituency returning officers. The coalition has expressed concerns that the current law could be used to manipulate figures at the national tallying centre. According to Katto Wambua, Secretary General of the UGM Party, the proposed changes will help ensure that the electoral process is transparent and fair.
With 321 days to the August 2027 General Election, the coalition has vowed to push the amendments through Parliament and return to court if the proposed changes are rejected. The coalition's move has been seen as a positive step towards ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. The bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament next week.
The proposed changes have been welcomed by some as a way to ensure that the 2027 General Election is fair and transparent. According to Neto Agostinho, a member of the People's Coalition, the Chairperson of the IEBC will be required to aggregate and announce total votes as sent by the returning officer, without alteration. The coalition believes that this will help build trust in the electoral process.
Key points
- The proposed bill aims to limit the powers of the IEBC Chairperson and remove the national tallying centre.
- The bill seeks to ensure that constituency results are transmitted and made public without alteration or delay.
- The coalition plans to push the amendments through Parliament and return to court if the proposed changes are rejected.
