Independent Electoral and Boundaries commission (IEBC) has been urged to open up voter registration centers in Universities.
Most youth are set to be locked out of the registration exercise since most of them are back to session and have resumed their studies despite having ID’s.
Students who tried to register within Garissa and are not residents where denied the opportunity and told to visit the IEBC regions officer.
Some of them have taken to social media to demand for voter registration centers in universities.
Moino John told this writer that as much as he wishes to register as a voter, he won’t be able to travel all the way to Malindi.
“I was hoping to register as a voter in this year’s competitive politics but I am afraid since I don’t have the money to travel all the way to Malindi to go register as a voter.” Says Moino of Garissa University.
Most of the students admitted to be interested in politics.
“I love the politics of my county (Busia) but I don’t have a choice but try to make an influence on social media. IEBC has been very unfair to university students. The second mass voter registration exercise started on 16nth January when most of us are back in school. This means most of the educated youth will not be able to vote.” Says Nathan Wekesa.
They are hoping that IEBC does them a favor and consider setting up voter registration centers also in universities.
“The problem with IEBC is that every time we are on session the registration exercise is going on. There is no way one can walk out when lectures are ongoing to go and register. We would like the government to consider making this amendment so that the youth also exercise their democratic rights.” Says Sahara Mukhtar.
“We don’t need a month to register as voters. The government should set up 3-4 days in every university to allow us of this very important democratic right.” Says Samuel Maina.