Center for Multi-Party Democracy (CMD) has said inadequate funding of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission may cripple its operations and affect its ability to stage a credible, free and fair election.
The CMD Chairperson, Omingo Magara has appealed to the government to consider adequate and timely allocation of resources to IEBC to enable it effectively prepare for next year’s general election.
Magara also demanded that political parties be funded adequately to enable them prepare for the elections.
Speaking to the press at a Kisii Hotel today, Magara said parliament has consistently and deliberately underfunded IEBC and political parties thus crippling their operations.
Magara said there are legitimate questions on the operational and administrative capacity of the IEBC in matters such as planning and procurement which need to be addressed.
“The credibility of the current team of IEBC commissioners and its entire staff seem to be on the line," said Magara.
Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) principals led by ODM leader, Raila Odinga have been calling for the disbandment of the IEBC, saying they do not have confidence with it to manage a free and fair election next year.
Magara said the massive voter registration exercise carried out in February and March this year, was marred with inadequate funding, pointing out that in the one month exercise 1.43 million new voters were registered against a target of 4 million.
Magara also blamed parliament for delay in passing laws regulating electoral process saying this is a clear pointer to stifling IEBC and political parties preparations ahead of the 2017 general election.