Chebukati: IEBC needs Sh40.9 billion to conduct 2022 General Election

MOMBASA,Kenya, Aug 9 – Its exactly one year until the country heads to the polls for the 2022 General election.

A smooth running of the highly anticipated polls however requires the Independent Electoral and Boundaries commission (IEBC) to be well funded in order to execute its mandate in realizing a free and fair elections.

According to IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati a budget deficit of Sh14 billion lies between it and a successful elections.

“We are engaging the national treasury because they are the only main funders for our activities to ensure they do so, if the budget we need is not affected then we may be forced to cut down some of our expenditures like the intended mass voter registration drive from 30 days to 15 days,”  Said Chebukati.

During a media sector consultative meeting in Mombasa, Chebukati said IEBC is now seeking Sh 40.9 billion and a further Sh588m to procure COVID-19 equipment that will ensure the polls are conducted in a safe space.

In total Sh40.9 billion is required to conduct next year’s polls.

“IEBC requires Sh40.9 b for 2022 poll and a further Sh588m to procure Covid19 items, making a total of Sh40.917b.Treasury has only allocated Sh26.3b leaving a deficit of Sh14b to effectively run the poll,” he said.

As part of reducing expenses, IEBC has devised plans that will see the cost of running the elections reduced significantly.

One of the anticipated measures include, downscaling security features on ballot papers from the nine to seven. The features are part of the security protocols to ensure and guarantee the polls’ integrity.

“This will save on costs incurred while printing ballot papers.” said IEBC Acting chief executive, Hussein Marjan who further said “The cost of ballot papers is projected to increase with the number of registered voters expected to be at 25 million. But we expect the cost to increase at a reducing rate because the commission has reduced security features to seven,”

The mass voter registration drive is also expected to be reduced from 30 days to 15 days. IEBC had anticipated the number of registered voters would rise to Sh25 million.

According to Chebukati the treasury has only allocated Sh 26.3 billion for the exercise.

Wages will also bee slashed significantly from the current Sh6 billion to Sh3 billion

In a bid to promote transparency in the results management process, IEBC has revealed it will allow accredited media houses access to polling stations and tallying centers to cover the vote counting, announcement, collation and declaration of results.

“It is important that the media and the country at large pays attention to key electoral processes, including but not limited to voter registration, nomination of candidates, campaign period, polling day activities, counting, announcement of results and electoral dispute resolution,” said  Chebukati.

Meanwhile during the consultative meeting with the media stakeholders, Chebukati said that the electoral commission will implement a directive that all political parties must adhere to the two-third gender rule while nominating candidates to vie for various elective positions in the Senate and National Assembly