By Andrew Kariuki

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has ruled out any extension of the ongoing voter registration exercise, urging eligible citizens to register within the remaining one week.

Speaking during an assessment tour in Meru County, IEBC Commissioner Hassan Noor Hassan revealed that only 50% of the targeted 80,000 voters in the county had registered by Monday evening, raising concerns over low turnout.

“We are not giving extra time… seven days are there. Kenyans have an opportunity within these seven days to register themselves. We have brought kits very close to them, they are being done in constituency offices, they are being done in Huduma Centres, so an opportunity has been availed for everybody,” he said.

He appealed to residents to take advantage of the remaining period to meet the registration targets.

Meanwhile, Meru County Election Manager William Ndung’u cited delays in the issuance of national identification cards as a major obstacle affecting the exercise.

“Hatukosi changamoto hapa na pale, mojawapo ni kuwa kuna wale walijiandikisha kuchukua vitambulisho na tukapata izo vitambulisho bado zingine hazijafika… izo ni tatizo kubwa sana kwa wale wanategemea,” Ndung’u said.

He also pointed to insecurity in parts of Igembe and Tigania as additional challenges slowing down registration efforts.

The commission has now intensified its appeal to wananchi to turn up in large numbers before the deadline, warning that no extra time will be granted once the exercise concludes.