Kenya: Voters Rush to Beat Registration Deadline

Several polling stations have recorded a high turnout of voters looking to register as the IEBC voter listing exercise draws to a close. The process that has been going on since November 18 will officially come to a close on December 18.

Various groups and individuals have appealed for the process to be extended to allow more people to get the vital document going into the election next year.

Jacqueline Bosibori, a resident of Westlands who registered today cited her lateness in voting to the marred voting process in 2007.

“I was unsure on whether to register because of the bloodshed that followed after the last election, but I hope for better leadership,” Momanyi said.

Mr. Sublo another who registered in the Parklands Highridge ward was happy with the process that he said was quick but urged for an extension to allowed more people to register to vote.

Sublo said, “A public holiday should be declared specifically for voting so that more people can be empowered to vote.”

Mr Joe Khanda, and IEBC clerk at the Highridge ward noted that as the deadline for registration approaches, more people are turning up to vote.

“Numbers have especially been high over the weekend and today. We found people waiting to register as early as 7am.”

He further added that an extension of the period and a clear communication from the IEBC on the status of those turning up to register with waiting cards would facilitate the process and achieve more numbers.

He however noted that no such communication has been relayed to them from the IEBC top brass and as such they are going with the December 18 deadline. Listen to some of the opinions below.

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