The March 4th Elections:
Perspectives from an inadvertently unregistered voter
March 4th
will be an historical day for Kenya. We will be voting in the fourth president
under a new constitutional dispensation. In addition to the president’s post,
Kenyans will be voting for five other seats that denote the county system of
government. Thus by March 5th,
the following positions will be filled: President,
Governor, Senator, Women Representatives from each county, Members of
Parliament for the National Assembly and the County Ward representatives.
The
campaigns have been a show of financial might for most of the contesters. With
8 presidential candidates, Kenyans may be said to be spoilt for choice. Some
have dubbed this the two horse race
while others talking about the tyranny of
numbers but what they seem to be assuming is that most if not all of those in these political campaigns will be
voting! Personally, I will not be voting
in this election: I have never voted in any election. In 2007, I did not
have a National ID, and at 2013, it was unfortunate that I lost my ID during
the registration and the time to register elapsed before replacing it. I know
there are many like us, young people who will not be voting. I know that there
are those who will lose their IDs a week or so to the elections and may thus
not vote as well. I am also certain that in the huge crowds during campaigns,
it may not be surprising that say a quarter of those present will not be voting
either!
What am
I driving with this? So much emphasis has been put on campaigns, on opinion
polls and we are forgetting the fundamental unit: the voter. We also ‘pretend’
to forget that the voting is a process and it requires one to know what needs
to be done. I am certain that there are Kenyans who do not know what to expect
during the voting day, right from the ballot papers to the six elective posts.
I know, you may be wondering, I am concerned while I will not be voting anyway,
so why bother? True, but I know I have a part to play pre, during and post the
Election Day. I have realized, whether I will vote or not, I am an equal Kenyan
and I have rights and responsibilities and my not voting does not make me less
Kenyan.
My
first role is a reminder, to my fellow Kenyans: we are voting through the
secret ballot. This is to say that your choice for a candidate is your own and
you are not to be coerced into choosing someone because the majority in that
voting area is voting for that person. Elizabeth Noelle-Noumann in her famous “Spiral
of Silence theory” acknowledges that for fear of isolation, people have a sixth
sense to analyze the opinions of those around them and shape their decisions
accordingly lest they are isolated. This then translates to people voting
alongside tribal lines over issues. I would like to challenge you to look at
whoever it is you are planning to vote for. Ask yourself, why do I want to have
this person as my leader? Why do they want to get into power? Are they
sincerely for Kenyans or for personal reasons? Let us not be clouded by what
other people tell us about them but what do we personally feel about their
leadership. I encourage us as young women be firm in our decisions and not to
be afraid of isolation from our friends, our families because of who we are
voting for; it is a secret ballot anyway.
My
second role is to remind us young women take note when voting to ensure that we
mark the candidates we are voting for within the specified requirements. There
will be six (different coloured) ballot papers for the six elective positions.
The Presidential Ballot paper will be White, the Governor's blue,
Senator-Yellow, Member of Parliament-Green, Women Representative-Purple and the
County Representatives–Beige. Each of the ballot papers have to be cast in
their respective ballot boxes i.e. match each ballot paper with the
corresponding box. One can only mark once on a ballot paper by the use of √ or X or
even ones thumbprint.
The worst thing would be to have wasted votes particularly where the
competition is stiff as evident. Also, there will be Police Officers who will
be observing any election misconduct particularly in relation to rigging, miscommunication
to the yet to vote, those found campaigning during the election day as well as
those who will be found inciting or even branded in the colours of particular
parties.
In
conclusion, Kenya was, has, and will be there after the March 4th
Elections. Let us look at the big picture and encourage, persuade and inform
our relatives and friends on this. Kenya is larger than our tribes, our
once-in-every-five-years politics, selfish interests and campaigns. Kenya needs
peace, now more than ever. Let us choose our words in discussing issues of the
elections, our actions and let us exude confidence in IEBC. They are mandated
to ensure that elections are free and fair. These are my views as unregistered
Kenyan voter who despite not casting my vote, I will nonetheless ensure that
the votes of the registered are cast in an informed, calm and peaceful
environment and eventually accept the winner and defeat with honour. Again,
Kenya is bigger than any of us, these fellow Kenyans, are my views as an unregistered
voter!