The deployment of new technology in managing Kenya elections helped improve transparency, the Carter Centre says.
In its preliminary report from its expert mission to Kenya’s August 9 presidential election, the centre says that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) made good strides in making sure that the country’s polls were transparent and accountable.
The report, which focuses on the use of election technology, states that the mission found “that significant progress was made in using technology to enhance the transparency and verifiability of the election process”.
It also faults the Wafula Chebukati-led commission for failing to conduct vigorous voter education in regard to the deployment of technology to build public confidence.
“It also finds that the commission did not do enough to help voters better understand the role of election technologies in the run-up to the election. As such, it missed an opportunity to increase public confidence in the processes surrounding procurement, voter registration, voter verification, and equipment testing,” the Carter Center says.
