Opposition calls for scrapping of national tallying centre ahead of 2027

A section of the opposition, under a coalition dubbed the People’s Coalition on Electoral Reforms, wants the national tallying centre scrapped in the 2027 General Election, arguing that it is unconstitutional.

The coalition, led by former Chief Justice David Maraga, stated that presidential results declared at constituency tallying centres should be final and should not be altered or re-tallied at a central venue such as the Bomas of Kenya, as was the case in the 2022 election.

Maraga noted that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) should not alter results announced at the constituency level.

“There shall be no tallying centre at Bomas or elsewhere. The IEBC commissioners shall not alter or re-tally the results announced at the constituency level,” Maraga stated.

Azimio Secretary General Caroli Omondi said the national tallying centre has historically been associated with contentious moments in Kenya’s electoral process.

“As a matter of fact, our history shows us that this national tallying centre has been the scene of crime of very distressing magnitude,” Omondi stated.

The coalition is also calling for an overhaul of the voters’ register, saying the current roll cannot be trusted because it has not been properly audited by the IEBC.

“The current register is not authentic. Dead voters and ghost voters must be weeded off. The KPMG report was not fully implemented, as documented by election observers in 2022,” DP leader Justin Muturi stated.

The group is further demanding reliable election technology, insisting that all systems to be deployed in the 2027 election should be tested and fully operational well before polling day, with particular attention to the KIEMS kits.

“All KIEMS kits must work in 2027. All voters must be biometrically identified. All the KIEMS kits must have full backup power and must display and transmit to the constituency tally centre the voter turnout from each polling station,” PM party leader Caleb Amisi stated.

The coalition has also criticised the IEBC over what it describes as a failure to take political claims of planned electoral fraud seriously.

“We don’t understand why this commission does not want to use the powers that they already have. We have a commission that came in with very little confidence, and they are eroding the confidence they have,” Omondi stated.

The group is also calling for greater scrutiny of the ballot-printing process, including the involvement of representatives from participating political parties.

It wants IEBC officials to uphold integrity and impartiality throughout the electoral process ahead of the 2027 General Election.