ELOG launches the Citizen Assessment of 2022 elections Processes report

Nairobi,

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

KNA by Shamim Kambi

The Election Observation Group (ELOG) has today launched the Citizen Assessment of 2022 Elections Processes Report in Nairobi.

The report’s main objective is to assess whether the 2022 electoral process met citizens' expectations. It also aims to assess the level of citizens’ engagement in the 2022 electoral Process.

The report used different types of domestic observer groups ranging from professionals, part-timers, pop-ups, and partisans. The assessment employed a two-tier methodology namely desktop reviews to obtain secondary data and field assessment to collect the views of the citizens.

Office of the Ombudsman Vice chairperson Mr. Washington Sati speaking during the event noted that the previous government misused public resources in their campaign with holders of public offices who were clearly in support of specific candidates during the campaign period.

ELOG’s findings stated that there were low levels of trust in the electoral processes citing that 44 percent have no trust in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC); only 32 percent trust in the IEBC and 24 percent have a neutral opinion.

There was also a complicated voter registration regime with 70 percent finding the voter registration process complicated. 64 percent preferred schools as registration centers.

The voter education scored well as citizens were well informed through various sources including political rallies, social media, community forums, religious places, radio, and television. However, members of the special interest groups largely felt left out of the voter education efforts according to the report.

There was glaring malpractice in the voting process and security. Ballot stuffing, voter intimidation by hired criminal gangs, violence, and voter interference were witnessed. Issues with voter list discrepancies, lack of ballot secrecy, overcrowding, and long queues were noted during the last election.

The electoral legal and policy framework had issues such as inadequate implementation of an otherwise robust electoral legal and policy framework. Some critical laws were enacted too close to elections. Key laws, like the two-third gender rule, were still pending.

The assessment indicated that Kenyans held divided sentiments in reference to the security of the country’s Electronic Transmission System (ETS) with 45 percent of the respondents believing the system was not secured and subsequently the result announced did not reflect the will of the people; specifically, the presidential result.

Majority of participants had a fair understanding of the Elections Dispute Resolution (EDR) with experts interviewed indicating the need to streamline appeal processes to address concurrent jurisdiction.

“I believe that this can be used to generate more conversation and debate that will of course inform the national dialogue. This platform will give Kenyans a chance to give their point of view on topical issues affecting the country,” said Mr. Sati.

He explained that the reports will be put together by different institutions in an efforts to ensure that the process is not driven by just a handful of actors but incorporates the citizens.

The evaluation of the report concluded with a number of recommendations such as improving coordination and consistency in media tabulation of election results to reduce anxiety and potential sources of tension and violence.

Conducting continuous voter education to educate citizens about the counting process and the use of technology is essential, matter that IEBC Deputy CEO Ruth Kulundu promised to address.

Courtesy; KNA