Former IEBC Chair Chebukati Honored for Spearheading Transparent Elections
Wednesday, Wafula Chebukati, the former chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), accepted two honors on behalf of the commission, which was lauded for its work in ensuring the integrity of elections.
Chebukati, who was present at the Crowne Plaza in Portugal for the 19th International Electoral Affairs Award Ceremony, was the recipient of the Election Management and Election Ergonomic Awards, both of which were presented to the commission in recognition of its efforts to ensure the smooth execution of elections in 2022.
Although the commission was awarded the Election Management prize, it placed second in the Election Ergonomic category.
“Glad to have witnessed this moment,” Chebukati noted.
In his presentation, the former head of the Commission asserted that IEBC effectively utilized technology to significantly influence the democratic process, thus guaranteeing the integrity, openness, and protection of elections.
“Greetings from Lisbon, Portugal, where I delivered a keynote presentation at the 19th International Electoral Affairs Symposium & Awards Ceremony titled “Kenya 2022 Election Success Story: Leveraging Technology for Increased Election Integrity”,” Chebukati noted.
His address centered on the query, “Can technology be used to eradicate impunity?” Therefore, he contended that impunity in elections cannot be cured by technology, even when utilized to its fullest potential, drawing from the chaos that transpired before he proclaimed the presidential results.
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However, he praised the IEBC’s autonomy, asserting that it was not subject to any form of interference.
“The Commission is established under the Constitution of Kenya as one of the country’s constitutional commissions whose objects are to: protect the sovereignty of the people; secure the observance by all state organs of democratic values and principles; and promote constitutionalism.
“Like all constitutional commissions in Kenya, it is subject only to the Constitution and the law and is not subject to direction or control by any person or authority. It reports on its performance to the people of Kenya through annual reports to the President and Parliament,” he added.
In utilizing technology for election management, electoral commissions can increase confidence in the democratic process and guarantee that the will of the people is precisely reflected, according to Chebukati.
The speaker implored the commissioners to persist in their efforts to establish a future in which technology and the electoral process can coexist amicably, thus ensuring the preservation of the integrity of our elections.
Former IEBC Chair Chebukati Honored for Spearheading Transparent Elections
