New IEBC team to be in place within 85 Days as new selection team sets timelines

The IEBC Selection Panel has announced that the new electoral commission team will be ready within 85 days. This follows a lengthy closed-door meeting held on Friday, where the panel outlined its timelines and called on qualified Kenyans to submit their applications for the positions of IEBC Commissioners immediately.

During its inaugural meeting, the panel elected a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, marking a significant step forward in a process that has faced prolonged delays. The panel has now set the ball rolling, raising hopes for the timely reconstitution of the electoral body ahead of the next General Election.

However, stakeholders are urging Parliament to expedite the passage of pending election-related legislation to ensure a smooth electoral process. Transparency International’s Sheila Masinde emphasized the need for lawmakers to act swiftly, stating, “We expect Parliament to also do what they are supposed to do, including passing the campaign financing regulations bills.”

Felix Odhiambo of the Elections Observation Group (ELGIA) highlighted another critical issue, noting, “The matter of boundaries review is still pending. We need to see whether Parliament will agree on the timelines for addressing this.”

The IEBC Secretariat has warned that even with the new team in place within the stipulated 85 days, completing the delimitation of boundaries before the next General Election will be a significant challenge.

According to the Constitution, the boundaries review could affect 27 constituencies that have not met the population threshold as per the review formula. This process, if undertaken, could have far-reaching implications for the electoral landscape.

As the selection process for new commissioners begins, all eyes are now on Parliament to ensure that pending electoral reforms are enacted promptly to pave the way for a credible and transparent election.