AN EVALUATION OF E-VOTING AND ELECTORAL CREDIBILITY IN KENYA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The utilization of information technology has transformed into a political instrument, enabling the potential establishment of a digital republic. It is all about e-government, which simply means, according to the United Nations Global E-Government Readiness Report 2004, as cited in Akpan-Obong & Alozie (2016), a "programmatic" tool through which socioeconomic and environmental services are rendered to the population while also fostering participation and social inclusion. However, public administration has been digitized to a degree where a wide range of tasks can be accomplished with precision, accuracy, and efficiency in a short amount of time.

E-voting is an electronic means of handling electoral matters, which include voting, transmission, and counting of ballots. It refers to voting using electronic means to either aid or take care of the chores of casting and counting votes. It can also involve the transmission of ballots and votes via telephone, private computer network, or the internet. Additionally, the concept of Electronic voting, sometimes referred to as E-voting, is an initiative undertaken by the The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) with the aim of enhancing the scientific, empirical, refined, and well-organized engagement of individuals in electoral processes. However, the primary objective was to ensure the inclusion of voters' preferences, enhance the credibility of elections, promote principles of freedom, fairness, transparency, and reliability(Melanie Volkamer ,2019). As a result, the use of e-voting technologies will significantly decrease the occurrence of electoral fraud and manipulation that was prevalent in prior manual voting procedures.

Additionally, Kenya, as a sovereign state, became a member of the international community with countries like Nigeria by adopting the E-voting technology and equipment during the recently ended general elections. Subsequently, democratic politics in Kenya, especially in the area of elections, is a strong determinant of political development in the country as it afford the citizens of the country the opportunity to participate in the voting process from wherever they are. Beyond that, it is in the quest to achieve democratic government and good governance that e-voting is introduced as a credible alternative to the traditional paper voting system in Kenya. Therefore, a survey will be conducted in order to evaluate of E-voting and electoral credibility in Kenya.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The existing electoral systems in Kenya exhibit several shortcomings, including issues related to the mobility of voters, security concerns, and accuracy in the tallying process due to human errors. Additionally, according to Mercurio (2019), challenges are observed in terms of eligibility and authentication, integrity, individual verification and auditability, reliability, adaptability, performance, and scalability.

Further more, besides the reliabitility of e-Voting technologies, there is a dire need for international standards to govern the technology, the software reliability and accuracy, the processes and algorithms deployed within the technology, and the verification of all hardware, software and protocols involved. As such standards will eventually allow elections to proceed in the country without the need for monitoring bodies. However, the design of a good e-voting system, whether electronic or using traditional paper ballots or mechanical devices must satisfy a number of sometimes competing criteria including a high degree of security and accuracy, eligibility and authentication, integrity, verifiability and auditability. More importantly, there is a real need for a good simulation model which can guide the deployment of e-Voting resources such that the election process can proceed with minimal faults and performance issues. Hence, it is in the light of these that the study seeks to evaluate of E-voting and electoral credibility in Kenya.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to evaluate E-voting and electoral credibility in Kenya. Specifically, the study will;

1. Determine the extent E-voting tools are adopted in the Kenya electoral process.

2. Determine the impact of e-voting on the electoral credibility of Kenya.

3. Determine the challenges of e-voting utilization in the Kenya electoral process.

1.4 Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

1. To what extent have E-voting tools been adopted in the Kenyan electoral process?

2. What is the impact of e-voting on the electoral credibility of Kenya?

3. What are the challenges associated with the utilization of e-voting in the Kenyan electoral process?

1.5 Significant of the Study

The findings of the study will enlighten Kenya populace on the effectiveness of the voting machines and how to use it. Furthermore, this research will be useful to media house to disseminate information to a large population regarding the benefits and risks of using the EVM. Also, guide the electoral bodies on how to effectively test the E-voting technologies before allowing the voters use them in order to promote credible election.

Additionally, subsequent researchers will use it as a literature review. This means that other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regard to an evaluation of E-voting and electoral credibility in Kenya.

1.6 Scope of the study

The scope of this study is boarded on the an evaluation of E-voting and electoral credibility in Kenya. Theoretically, this study will determine the extent E-voting tools are adopted in the Kenya electoral process, determine the impact of e-voting on the electoral credibility of Kenya, and determine the challenges of e-voting utilization in the Kenya electoral process.

Geographically, the study will be delimited to residents of Imara Daima,Nairobi, Kenya.

1.7 Limitation of the study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents.

In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed.

More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

1.8 Definition of Terms

Electronic Voting Machine: is a tool for making the electoral process more efficient.

Voting : an activity of choosing someone or something in an election.

Elections: a formal and organized choice by vote of a person for a political office or other position.

Credible elections: means electoral processes that enjoy considerable support and confidence of the citizenry.