IEBC To Continue With Voter Registration In Canada, U.A.E As Diaspora Exercise Ends Friday

NAIROBI,Kenya, Feb 4 – Three days now remain as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is fast approaching the deadline to conclude the second phase of the Enhanced Continious Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise ahead of the February 6,2022 deadline.

For Kenyans in the diaspora meanwhile, the exercise comes to a close today after kicking off in January,21,2022.

It is  however a reprieve for eligible voters domiciled in Canada and the U.A.E after the electoral commission revealed that the exercise would continue in the respective countries in order to account for lost time after there governments instituted certain COVID-19 restrictions limiting movement and access to state or foreign services.

The mass over registration in the diaspora has been ongoing in: the United States of America, United Kingdom,Qatar, Germany, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burindi and South Sudan.

Voter registration is being conducted during the official working hours for embassies and consulates in the respective host countries.

IEBC also revealed that it will make arrangements for the continued voter registration exercise during the weekends.

IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati appealed to Kenyans who have not registered as voters to use the remaining three days to do so nationwide.

Phase two of the electoral body’s registration drive has recorded a low turnout since commencing on January 17,2022 locally and on January 15,2022 in the diaspora.

The Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR)had initially targeted to register 4.5 million new voters.

Voter apathy among other factors have however been blamed for low turnout.