Electoral commission launches diaspora voting policy

The hunt for the diaspora vote is set to move a notch higher, after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) published a policy that will allow Kenyans to vote at its embassies and missions abroad.

Each country where Kenya has a diplomatic presence must have a population of at least 3,000 eligible Kenyan citizens registered with the Mission or with the Commission, for it to be considered as a voter registration centre.

But those registered will only cast their votes in presidential elections and referendums.

The potential voters will be required to apply for registration in person to an IEBC officer at the designated centres.

On Thursday, IEBC Chairman Issack Hassan announced that the next General Election will be held on Tuesday, August 8, 2017.

But Kenya Diaspora Alliance (KDA) Legal Committee Chairman Henry Ongeri argued that with only a year to the elections, a policy alone without legislation was not adequate.

“The policy comes across as a feigned effort to circumvent and finally upstage the court directive, hence denying Kenyans their right to participate in the electoral process. It is imperative for IEBC to formulate honest and realistic legislation to accompany policy”, said Mr Ongeri.

He added: “There is need for provisions in the next (2016/17) budget to cater for diaspora voting preparations”.

In March 2013 elections, IEBC facilitated Kenyan citizens residing in the East African region to vote.

Last year, the Supreme Court ordered progressive registration of Kenyans living abroad to enable them participate in local elections.

The directive followed a petition by a lobby group, New Vision Kenya, and others against IEBC

Ministry of Foreign Affairs puts the number of Kenyans in the diaspora at 3 million, a mouthwatering figure that is likely to push political parties to open up their war chests to canvass for their votes.