Angry Kenyans have come out to reject a new Bill in Parliament proposing to end the live broadcast of presidential election results.
According to the Daily Nation, this move could reshape how Kenyans follow the country’s electoral process.
If passed, the 2024 Election Laws Amendment Bill would remove the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s (IEBC) obligation to live-stream results from polling stations.
The Bill, spearheaded by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho) and Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo (Kilifi), seeks to repeal Section 39 of the Elections Act.
Under current law, the IEBC is mandated to broadcast results live as they are announced at polling stations. This transparency measure has allowed media houses to relay real-time updates to the public, showing which candidate is leading and from which polling stations.
The proposed amendments suggest that the IEBC would instead upload results electronically to a public portal and deliver them physically for verification.
The Bill states that results declared at polling stations will be final, ensuring no discrepancies arise between electronically transmitted results and the declared outcomes.
According to the sponsors, the changes aim to simplify the electoral process and reduce logistical challenges.
“The proposed section removes the requirement for IEBC to ensure results are broadcast from polling stations, focusing instead on secure transmission and public access to uploaded data,” the Bill states.
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It further specifies that presidential votes will be tallied, announced, and electronically transmitted before votes for other positions are processed. This sequencing is designed to streamline the announcement of presidential results and avoid confusion.
The Bill is a product of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO), formed to address contentious electoral issues following protests by opposition supporters after President William Ruto’s victory in the 2022 elections.
NADCO includes representatives from both the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition and the opposition Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition.
Critics argue that removing the live-streaming requirement could undermine transparency and public confidence in the electoral process. Live broadcasts have historically allowed citizens to monitor election results independently and hold the electoral body accountable.
If enacted, the changes could significantly alter how Kenyans engage with election results. While proponents argue it will ensure a more streamlined and secure process, opponents warn it may limit public oversight, potentially fueling mistrust in an already polarized political landscape.
By Newshub