The African Electoral Institute (AEI) has expressed concerns over the Electoral Commission’s (EC) delay in providing political parties with the names of presiding officers and polling assistants, contrary to the C.I 127 regulation 19.
According to the AEI, the EC’s failure to publish the names and pictures of the proposed officials within the stipulated 10-day period before the election raises concerns about the Commission’s ability to ensure a transparent and credible electoral process.
“The Commission’s delay in providing the names of presiding officers and polling assistants may hinder the ability of registered persons or political parties to object to the appointment of these officials within the stipulated 7-day period,” the AEI stated.
The Institute has urged the EC to take immediate action to address this issue and provide the necessary information to political parties and stakeholders.
“This is essential to ensure the integrity and transparency of the electoral process,” the AEI emphasized.
The AEI has called on the EC to provide the names of presiding officers and polling assistants to political parties and stakeholders without further delay and allow for a reasonable period for registered persons or political parties to object to the appointment of these officials.
Below is the African Electoral Institute’s full statement
ELECTORAL COMMISSION’S DELAY IN FURNISHING POLITICAL PARTIES WITH THE NAMES OF PRESIDING OFFICERS AND POLLING ASSISTANTS RAISES CONCERNS
1. The African Electoral Institute(AEI) has pocked information that the Electoral Commission (EC) has not yet provided political parties with the names of presiding officers and polling assistants, contrary to C.I 127 regulation 19 sub-regulations (6)(7)(8)(9) and (10). This regulation provides a framework for addressing concerns about officers appointed by the EC.
2. According to the EC, the reason for this delay is that they are still training their officers. However, this explanation raises concerns about the EC’s ability to ensure a transparent and credible electoral process.
3. Regulation 19(6)(7)(8)(9)&(10) stipulates that;
(6) The Commission shall
(a) publish at the district office of the Commission the names
and pictures of persons the Commission proposes to appoint
as presiding officers and polling assistants not later than ten
days before an election; and
(b) furnish a copy of the published names and pictures of the
presiding officers to a political party and any candidate
contesting the election.
(7) A registered political party or a person qualified to vote in an
election may object to the appointment under subregulation (4) within
seven days after the names of the proposed officials have been published.
(8) The objection shall be
(a) in writing to the Commission; and
(b) based on factual and verifiable evidence.
(9) An objection raised against the appointment of an election
official shall not be entertained if the objection is made within seven days
to an election.
(10) The Commission shall communicate its decision to the parties
involved within four days after receipt of the objection.
4. The African Electoral Institute is particularly concerned that this delay may hinder the ability of registered persons or political parties to object to the appointment of presiding officers or polling assistants within the stipulated 7-day period, as required by C.I 127.
5. We urge the EC to take immediate action to address this issue and provide the necessary information to political parties and stakeholders. This is essential to ensure the integrity and transparency of the electoral process.
6. We call on the EC to:
i.- Provide the names of presiding officers and polling assistants to political parties and stakeholders without further delay.
ii. Allow for a reasonable period for registered persons or political parties to object to the appointment of presiding officers or polling assistants.
7. The African Electoral Institute will continue to monitor the situation and advocate for a free, fair, and transparent electoral process.
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