IEBC cancels election system tender citing insufficient budget

By Collins Anampiu

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) IEBC has written to GELMATO Ltd, the company contracted to supply, test, commission and install Integrated Elections Management System (KIEMS) notifying them of the cancelation and termination of the tender.

In a letter dated 21st march 2017, the commission says its decision to terminate the tender was informed by inadequate budgetary provision for the figures quoted by the aforementioned IT Company.

Other reasons given by the commission were that the scope of technology requirements changed following recent conclusion of voter registration drive and therefore the commission considered that there would be no value for money to retain voter registration component in the Kenya Integrated Elections Management System.

The commission further argued that it had lost implementation period in litigations over the tender, adding that the remaining legal steps to conclude the tender, it will be almost impossible for the commission to execute its mandate within the statutory timelines.

In February IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati had said they would cancel the tender following delay in procuring the technology.

IEBC said the delay followed challenges lodged at the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) by two firms.

He said the commission had decided to cancel KIEMS tender to mitigate against risks that may undermine the entire electoral process.

However, Chebukati assured Kenyans that the voter verification exercise will be conducted according to the law.

He stated that the commission will put in place alternative measures to ensure that the integrated electronic technology is in place on time to commence the verification process on May 10th.

Elsewhere, IEBC has vowed to crack the whip on those seeking elective positions yet have questionable academic qualifications.

The electoral body is set to publish guidelines on compliance with leadership and Integrity requirements and is calling on political parties to be meticulous in scrutinizing those seeking nominations to participate in the August polls.

Speaking Wednesday during the launch of a joint team of IEBC, EACC, DPP, AG and Registrar of Political Parties to ensure aspirants comply with Chapter 6 on Leadership and Integrity, IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati said the Investigative net will be cast wider and will no longer be all about criminal cases relating to integrity for politicians seeking elective posts in the August 8th polls but also those with bogus academic qualifications.

Speaking at the same forum EACC chairperson Dr Eliud Wabukala said its very essential for Kenyans to have a pool of leaders with integrity to choose from if Kenya has to achieve the vision 2030.

In his part Attorney General Githu Muigai assured that the agencies will not interfere with the independence of the electoral body in the execution of the said mandate.

The stakeholders have agreed to make available dedicated service centers’ on a full time basis with adequate resources to support the electoral verification and clearance process.

They shall also give priority to scrutiny of information on candidates that may be required by the IEBC in order to compliment and support the clearance process.