Former National Assembly Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim wants the time allocated for the ongoing voter registration exercise by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) extended in areas worst hit by the ravaging drought.
The former deputy speaker observes that areas worse hit by the drought are registering low numbers, and that time allocated for the exercise might not be sufficient in such areas.
The former Speaker warns that potential voters will be locked out in areas hit by the drought.
“The IEBC should work on mechanisms that will make sure that all potential voters in areas worst hit by drought have registered as voters,” he said as quoted by the Standard.
Maalim, who is seeking the Garissa Town Parliamentary seat said that no eligible voter should be locked out.
He said locals in areas hit by drought cannot register since they are in search of food and water for themselves and their livestock.
The voter registration enters its third week with IEBC ruling out any extension. This as the ravaging drought facing some counties is said to have an affected the voter listing exercise with locals out in search of food and water.
The counties worse hit by the drought according to the national government are Baringo, Garissa, Marsabit, Turkana, Kilifi, Tana River, parts of Embu, Isiolo and Mandera.