Former Chief Justice David Maraga wants IEBC to issue voter turnout figures every hour.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga wants IEBC to report voter participation throughout polling, arguing that evening announcements limit transparency.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga has urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to provide hourly turnout updates during elections. He wants the commission to abandon what he described as its practice of announcing participation figures at 6pm.
Maraga argued that more frequent reporting would improve transparency and help Kenyans follow voting as it unfolds. Rather than wait until evening, he said, the electoral agency should transmit turnout figures every hour.
Maraga seeks hourly turnout updates
The proposal focuses on when the commission shares voter participation figures during the polling period. Under Maraga’s approach, IEBC would communicate those numbers throughout the day instead of relying on a 6pm announcement.
Voters, political parties and other stakeholders could then track participation trends while polling continues. The change would also require the commission to release information more frequently as voting progresses.
Rigging allegation lacks supporting evidence
Maraga also alleged that the existing reporting system was rigged. However, he did not provide specific evidence to support that assertion in the remarks available.
His demand comes amid debate over electoral transparency, public confidence and the management of Kenya’s elections. In particular, his proposal centres on timely access to turnout information as part of greater electoral accountability.
Meanwhile, an IEBC response to the proposal was not immediately available.
