In an electoral democracy, a valid register of electors is the foundation of credible and transparent elections. Some of the elements displayed by a valid and credible register of elections include:

        1. A register of electors as an accurate record.

The register of electors is an important document and it determines who can vote. It therefore must be accurate. It must contain the names of qualified electors who are registered only once as electors in a particular registration centre. The register must be well maintained and updated regularly. It must not be exposed to any form of manipulation. Every care must be taken in handling the register of electors.

It is important for the IEBC to ensure that:

        a) The names of all persons who apply to be registered as electors and meet the requirements have their names entered in the register of electors.

        b) The names and other particulars of the electors are accurately entered in the register.

        c) The names of the deceased electors are promptly deleted from the register of electors.

        d) The register does not contain names of ineligible persons.

        e) There is accurate entry and printing of data in the electors register.

        f) The public is made aware of the registration of electors and the inspection of the register through aggressive voter education and publicity programmes.

   2. The register must be handled carefully and professionally at all times.

   3. A register must be open for public scrutiny.

   4. A register must be credible.

Without the register of electors, it would make:

Holding of credible elections impossible.

Genuine citizens to be denied their right to vote because data about them would not be ascertainable: and

Persons, who would otherwise not vote, would participate in elections as voters. Such persons include the underage or the ineligible people who, for example, had committed election offences, according to the election act.

The cumulative effect of these lapses would make an election unreliable. As such, persons who value their right to choose their political leaders will strive to get their names entered in the register of electors.

This means that a register of electors must be accurate and reliable because it is the bedrock of credible and democratic elections. Again it must contain only names of those who qualify to be registered and are willing to register as electors.

The register of voters (or its revised version) is used in relation to the list of voters for all the six elections.

Voter’s registers & the green book.

Analysis of the main cause of voters names missing from the registers is the failure of the department to promptly effect the changes submitted from the field especially transfers. Clerical errors also play role in the missing of names as well as failure to capture all details during scanning process.

The information in the Green book is not entered accurately the clerks….

Voters being classified as dead yet are alive is largely due to the inadequate information provided by chiefs, register of births and deaths or relatives of the deceased who fail to capture the ID of deceased voter.

The main cause of double/ multiple registrations is ignorance of applicant. Most of whom ask for new registration instead of checking their particulars in the register, some of the applicants are also dishonest, the failure of clerks to prove the applicants also plays a key role in the high incidence of double multiple registered voters.

Root cause of inaccurate & unreliable voters register.

There is need for the commission to aggressively undertake several measures in order to address the problems currently faced in compiling a credible and accurate voter’s register.

        (a) The commission should develop a communication strategy to educate voters on the importance of inspecting the register.

        (b) The ICT department should be prompt in effecting changes forward from the field and counties should ensure that their submissions have duly effected in the register.

Publicity registration & voter education logistics.

        - Registration of voters among the exercise that require careful logistical planning in order to succeed in the exercise.

        - Mobilizing potential voters through awareness and publicity before registration exercise by putting up posters in all public places.

        - Voter education is also necessary during the registration exercise to inform the public what they require in order to register, change stations or even to check whether their particulars are correctly entered in the voters register.

        - Local language be used in public forums.