The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in Kenya has implemented various types of election technology to enhance efficiency, transparency, accuracy, and accountability in the electoral process.
Under Section 44 of the Elections Act, IEBC is allowed to adopt election technology as it deems appropriate.
📌 Types of Election Technology Used by IEBC
1️⃣ Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) System
✔ Captures and stores voter details electronically, including:
- Facial image
- Fingerprints
- Personal details (Name, ID/Passport Number, Gender, etc.)
✔ Helps eliminate duplicate voter registration.
✔ Ensures secure and efficient voter registration.
✔ Generates printed voter registers as backup.
Common Misconception: BVR does NOT mean electronic voting—it only ensures secure voter registration.
2️⃣ Candidates Registration System (CRS)
✔ Digitally registers and verifies political candidates.
✔ Cross-matches the data of nominees with the voters’ register and political party lists.
✔ Improves accuracy of ballot paper processing.
✔ Ensures political parties submit valid nominations.
3️⃣ Electronic Voter Identification (EVID) System
✔ Used during voting day to verify voters using:
- Fingerprint authentication
- Facial recognition
✔ Two types of EVID devices: - Laptops with fingerprint scanners
- Handheld devices with in-built fingerprint readers
✔ Helps curb voter impersonation and ensures only registered voters cast ballots.
First used in Kenya: 2013 General Elections.
4️⃣ Results Transmission and Presentation (RTS)
✔ Electronic transmission of provisional results from polling stations.
✔ Uses specially configured mobile devices to transmit data to:
- Constituency tallying centers
- County tallying centers
- National tallying center
✔ Allows the public, media, and stakeholders to monitor results in real-time.
✔ Enhances transparency and credibility of the election process.
RTS has been used successfully in:
- 2009 By-elections
- 2010 Constitutional Referendum
- 2013, 2017, and 2022 General Elections
📌 Importance of Election Technology in Kenya
✔ Enhances electoral transparency and trust.
✔ Reduces electoral fraud (e.g., voter duplication, impersonation).
✔ Ensures real-time results transmission and public monitoring.
✔ Improves efficiency in voter and candidate registration.
✔ Enhances accuracy in election data management.
🚀 Kenya’s election technology continues to evolve, aiming for a more credible, verifiable, and efficient electoral process!
