Why should I sign up as an eligible voter?Your vote is powerful beyond measure. It is your voice, your right, your responsibility. I thought I already had a right to vote?Yes, as a diaspora Kenyan, you do have a right to vote. What is in question is your ability to exercise this right. The hitherto suggested methods will cut out hundreds of thousands from registering. This is an effort to create online voter registration capability that will enable most, if not all diaspora Kenyans to sign up first as potential voters, then officially register with the IEBC as voters in the 2013 elections. How will the database be used?The Kenya Diaspora Alliance leadership of its member organizations will use the database to lobby for online diaspora voter registration amendments to the Election law. Without your signing up as an eligible diaspora voter, we cannot accomplish this very important goal. What information is requested?The database asks for basic voter-qualifying information, in line with the eligible voter requirements in the Constitution. It does not include intrusive personal information. How do I know I’m an eligible diaspora voter? You -
Are a Kenyan citizen resident outside Kenya Where will the polling stations be located?The IEBC has proposed the use of Kenya Missions and Embassies for polling stations, a move that would make it near-impossible for hundreds of thousands of diaspora Kenyans to vote due to distance, time, travel and accommodation expenses. The diaspora is collectively lobbying for a secure online and/or SMS-based voting system, or at the least, polling stations in every county, state or province with a significant number of diaspora Kenyans. How did this voting rights and implementation effort start?The voting rights for diaspora Kenyans was enshrined in the 2010 Constitution through vision and struggle that started with the fight for dual citizenship through a motion moved in parliament in 2001 by 2 patriotic Kenyans, and subsequently championed by the Kenyan Community Abroad (KCA). The struggle to implement this right for every citizen abroad is now championed by a federation of diaspora organizations coming together as the Kenya Diaspora Alliance (KDA). It is your responsibility to exercise this right in order to shape the democracy, leadership and governance of our country for the better. We get the leaders we choose What is the action plan?
Step 1: Launching massive online registration of eligible diaspora voters Why online voter registration?
It is convenient, safe and easily accessible to eligible voters across borders. Several countries have successfully implemented or piloted online voting, including Canada, Estonia, France, Norway, Venezuela, and others. In the US, it is used by 11 states, with other states working to adopt legislation for online voter registration. It has been proven to be far more efficient and error-free than the older registration system that requires the voter to travel to point “x” and fill out a form. |