Gender Responsive Service Delivery Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Improving Women s Participation in Electoral Processes Presentation by Winnie Guchu

Transcription

1 Gender Responsive Service Delivery Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Improving Women s Participation in Electoral Processes Presentation by Winnie Guchu

2 Introduction IIEC is an election reform body set up in 2009 to carry out: Reform of the electoral process and management of elections. Establish an efficient and effective secretariat. Promote of free and fair elections. Conduct fresh registration of voters and create a new voters register. Conduct referendum for the new constitution.

3 Introduction Develop a modern system for collection, collation, transmission, and the tallying of electoral data Promote voter education and culture of democracy Settlement of minor electoral disputes during an election

4 Electoral Reforms Good planning for electoral reforms takes care of the worst case scenario: - Illiterate persons not only voters No access to any information No knowledge of electoral or political environment (is there a new constitution in Kenya) Inadequate facilities No infrastructure Everyone is poor

5 Electoral Reforms Electoral system reforms: - Reforms within the new constitution promulgated last year in August to respond to inequalities in representation and decision making. Provision of a mixed electoral system which included first past the post and proportional representation Not more than 2/3 representation in any elected and appointment positions. (Including the EMB - Food) Recognition of youth, women, persons with disabilities, marginalized and minority groups

6 Electoral Reforms Introduction of closed party lists namely; 12 seats for nomination of women Members of parliament 16 women seats for senate 2 senate seats for youth 2 senate seats for persons with disability Additional seats to ensure at least 1/3 of either gender in the County Assemblies and Seats for marginalized groups including persons with disabilities and youth.

7 Electoral Reforms Introduction of devolved government which will see more women come into decision making from local to national levels. The two levels are; Parliament National Assembly and Senate which include women special seats in the senate at special seats for special groups which could be women. County Assemblies which include the nomination seats Provisions in the Constitution guarantee inclusion of women and enables opportunities for women to go beyond 1/3.

8 Implementation of the Constitution Key legislation in the process of drafted namely; Political Parties and Party Financing Bill:- If properly implemented, this will, to some extent, reduce disadvantages that women face. Incentives in for parties to get more funds if they have more women. Political Parties Fund to ensure that parties run as well structured institutions. Limits on how much a party can spend during elections. Abolishing use of state resources for campaigns

9 Implementation of the Constitution Elections Bill: - This is work in progress. Party Lists is still a challenge on how to implement the 12 nomination seats for members parliament because of constitutional provision. Commission s role is to ensure the electoral process is simple and fair for all in the principals stipulated in this law.

10 Voter Registration Previous register had 52% women registered as voters. A new voters register was created in Registration took 45 days. Women were followed to their homes, farms, hospitals and markets to register. Eligible voters in Kenya are 19 million. Total number of registered voters is 12.4 million 49% of total number registered are women.

11 Voter Registration Us of Identity card and the challenges. Use of biometrics for registration as a voter when fully implemented, will reduce the sale value of the voters card which are usually in the custody of male family members. Inspection of register done on the same day. The register of voters includes sex and age but need to include persons with disability.

12 Political Parties The main entry to political participation is through political parties. However, the new Constitution allows for independent candidates. Political party activities demand for: - Time Money (women prefer to invest in the family) Strategy (Real Meeting)

13 Political Parties Opportunities Women should join a political party and be active. Join early and not a few months to elections. The Commission has taken voter education very seriously and will ensure that all citizens are aware of their participation during party nominations as voters and candidates. Mass local languages media are to best to reach older women but the young women are easier to reach through young persons radio stations. Many women loose at party nominations.

14 Commission Nominations Kidnapping papers can be submitted on behalf of the candidate Certificates issued to 2 people in the same party Commission responsible to ensure party rules are followed and deal with these disputes. Cost for nomination debate on what is reasonable so that we do not end up with too many candidates.

15 Campaigns For the Candidate High cost Propaganda Security Women voters are really respected during this period.

16 Voting Day Polling process usually ok when careful security plans are properly implemented. To avoid election malpractices, permanent staff are deployed to positions that determine results. This enables trust from the electorate and especially women candidates.

17 Counting, Tallying and Transmission Results determine who wins an election. For candidates and voters, they want to be sure that results are not tampered with. Counting is done in the polling station in the presence of agents. Agents are trained as well as polling officials. Election officials are shuffled so that clerks check Pos and agents check both.

18 Counting, Tallying and Transmission The Commission has introduced Electronic Transmission of Results. Final results form are configured on a mobile phones or laptops. Once counting is complete, the form e.g. Form 16 A is read and results declared, then results are set in the presence of the agent. Results sent to tallying centre and headquarters. Reached a record time of 3 hours for preliminary constituency results.