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Kenya: Chebukati Says 19.6 Million Registered to Vote Ahead of Next Year’s General Election

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5 years ago

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Nairobi — The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) says it has registered 149,600 new voters since the 2017 elections, raising the total number of eligible voters in the country to 19,678,885.

Speaking during the launch of the Commission’s Voter Education Week on Monday, the Commission Chairperson Wafula Chebukati called on all Kenyans who are not registered to enrol ahead of next year’s elections.

“It is important to note that with the conclusion of election petitions arising from the 2017 General Elections, the Commission launched Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) at an event that was held in Makueni County on 15th October 2018. From then to 30th May 2021, the Commission has registered a total of 149,600 new voters bringing the total registered voters to 19,678,885. Due to lack of budgetary allocation to conduct CVR, the Commission confined the registration of voters to its 290 IEBC Constituency Offices,” said Chebukati.

Chebukati pointed out that after conducting several by-elections in the country, the commission is now focusing on the 2022 polls.

“The Commission has now been allocated the first tranche of the Election budget for 2021/2022 Financial Year and will undertake Mass Registration of Voters once funds are availed by the National Treasury. In the meantime, the Commission urges persons who have attained 18 years to acquire National Identity Cards in readiness for registration as voters,” he said, “The Commission equally seeks to mobilize Kenyans to register as voters during this annual voter education week and encourages those eligible for registration to visit the IEBC Constituency Offices for enrollment.”