There is a first time for everything. Indeed, this saying was manifested when the IEBC Bahati Constituency office was called upon to conduct elections for the student council at Our lady of Mercy Primary School on Friday 25th June 2021. The elections were conducted in line with our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative to instill a culture of democracy and good governance in schools.
Our Lady of Mercy Primary School is located in Kiamaina County Assembly Ward, which is in Bahati Constituency. It's one of the best performing public primary school within Bahati Constituency and the larger Nakuru County. The school has a population of 875 pupils. The institution also has a class of 25 special needs pupils.
Prior to the election day, the Commission officials conducted voter education sittings with the pupils and teachers to tutor them on the importance of good leadership, Kenyan election process, how to conduct campaigns, the roles of elections officials and how to mark ballot papers. The whole exercise happened during the AVEW week.
Each elective position attracted two candidates. The election conducted was for grade3, class 5,6 and class7. Grade 4 pupils were away on long holiday hence their election will be conducted later in August after they have resumed in session classes. Grade 1 and 2 elections were conducted by the respective class teacher because they are still not able to grasp the importance of voting due to tender age.
The exercise was conducted peacefully and those who lost in the elections quickly and humbly accepted the results. Each candidate had two agents during polling and a chief agent during counting and declaration of results. Certificates were issued during the closing ceremony, which was held in the presence of the School Head teacher, teaching staff, the school PTA chairman and the entire pupil fraternity. The elected chair person was the only one who was given an opportunity to address the gathering to give his victory and acceptance speech due to time factor.
Polling officials for the elections included, Returning Officer, Mr. Paul Kones. (CEC), DRO, Miss Joan Chepkoech. (CAA), The teachers acted as POs, DPOs and clerks while the School's administration undertook the role of observers. We also had observers, who were invited from neighboring school, where they too are preparing to conducted their pupil's counsels soon. As a way of engaging our stakeholders and the society at large, school's elections continue to give us an opportunity to showcase our professionalism in handling elections with the hope that future generation will have a better understanding of the processes thereby reducing mistrust and enhancing public confidence in the Commission's ability to conduct free, fair and credible elections.