Good Morning Millenial Readers,

With only six days left until the general election, I am elated that a new government will be installed and hopeful that they will perform better. Some of us may be voting for the first time, and you may be curious about what occurs on Election Day. I have participated in two elections and am familiar with the essential procedures and requirements, which I would be happy to share with you.

Kenya is a democratic nation with a well-established voting system that ensures Kenyans’ participation in selecting the leader they want to represent in government. This occurs every five years and requires Kenyans to elect six representatives to the national and county governments. These representatives consist of the President and Deputy President, who are elected on a single ticket, Members of the National Assemblies who represent constituencies, Members of the Senate who represent counties, County Women Representatives, the County Governor and Deputy County Governors, and Members of the County Assembly. The people give those elected to this post the mandate to represent them in government and advance their agenda and concerns.

What are the Key Requirements for You to Vote in Kenya?

However, Article 83 of the Kenyan Constitution specifies that several qualifications must be met in order to be eligible to vote.

You must be a Kenyan Citizen.

You must also be at least 18 years old.

Other vital requirements include having a sound mind and the ability to think and reason independently. Additionally, you should not have been convicted of any election-related offence within the preceding five years.

Voting also requires registration with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). Nonetheless, this process is concluded, and the commission has suspended it until 2023.

 What to expect on Election Day?

Election Day is perhaps one of the most stressful days of the year for Kenyan voters, and one must be prepared to endure it.

First, expect incredibly long queues.

Anticipate that individuals will be up as early as 3 a.m.

As you wait in line, it is possible that the weather will change; therefore, you should bring an umbrella or a raincoat just in case.

Expect your stomach to be rumbling due to hunger, as leaving the line to find food is typically not an option. You all know the “Githeri Man,” who was armed with a bag of githeri (a mixture of boiled beans and maize grains). It is often a difficult day, and most people do not get a chance to look for food as cutting back in line is not usually allowed as there are queuing clerks and police officers who are placed there to manage it. However, despite these obstacles, satisfaction is gained when one casts their vote. 

Summary of the Voting process

If you are a registered voter, you must vote on August 9 at your assigned polling location. In the majority of circumstances, the process is open from 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and everybody in line at the conclusion of the period will still be permitted to vote. Then, you will follow the subsequent steps.

You will first be Identified as a Voter

This is the initial step, which entails verifying the voter’s name and determining if the individual is a registered voter. You must present a valid identification card or Kenyan passport. This information is checked by the polling clerk, who validates it in the voter registration database.

The voters are identified using biometrics, such as fingerprints, but if this method fails, an alphanumeric identifier, such as an ID or passport number, is applied.

You will be issued with Stamped Ballot Papers

Once you have been verified as a registered voter, you will go to the next station, where a polling clerk will provide you with six ballots for each of the six candidates, from the president to the county representatives. You must verify that the ballots bear the official stamp of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and are unmarked.

You will then be directed to the voting booth.

You will then Mark the Ballot Papers

Kenya employs a secret ballot system, therefore only one voter is permitted in each voting booth. As a voter, you have the right to cast your ballot without interruption. You are only needed to designate a person to assist you if you have difficulties such as a disability or illiteracy, and if you do not have one, the Presiding Officer can assist you.

One technique to mark a ballot is by placing a cross (✕) or a tick (✓) next to a candidate’s name (or nickname) on the paper. Putting the sign outside the box or crossing out all other candidates and marking your preferred candidate could invalidate the vote.

Cast Your Votes

After properly marking six ballots, the ballots are folded and deposited in ballot boxes. Each of the six seats has its own ballot box, and the colour of the lid matches the colour of the ballot paper. The presiding officer and party agents oversee the casting process.

Incorrectly placed ballots are considered invalid votes.

Marking Finger with Indelible Ink

After completing the voting procedure, you will proceed to the exit to meet a second clerk. To show that you have voted, the clerk applies a mark on the small fingers of your left hand or between the middle and index fingers (Chill Sign) if you have henna or nail polish. The ink is indelible and difficult to erase.

If you required an assistant, their left thumb or the space between their thumb and index finger will be noted (Gun Sign).

You leave the Polling Station

After you have voted, you may exit the polling station. Nobody is allowed to remain at the station once the process has been completed. You can then return home and monitor the tallying process and results via radio, television, and social media.

The 8th of August is quickly approaching, and it will give us a great opportunity to alter the status quo. Every registered Kenyan voter is urged to cast a ballot for their preferred candidate. As stated, the procedure is straightforward, and you will have access to assistance if necessary. Let us come and exercise our democratic rights, and let us maintain peace. Remember the hashtag #tusibleedndowalead! (We should not bleed so that they can become leaders).

Peace!

Fabian ✌✌✌