Friday, February 10, 2012

Why elections should be held in December 2012

There has been a lot of debate over when to hold elections after the new constitution came. According to the new constitution elections were to be held in August this year, then parliament moved a bill to change the election date to December. But Kenyan high court ruled that elections will be delayed to March 2013 which is 60 days after the end of current parliament. However this can change if the two principals President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga decide to dissolve parliament sooner.

As a Kenyan I therefore support those who are asking the two principals to dissolve parliament in October thereafter elections can be held 60 days after, which will be sometime in December.

I support December elections because:-

1) It is a tradition we are used to.
2) December is a more relaxed month for most people; it is a time companies/businesses close for festive season and school holidays are longer.
3) Nearly all voting centers are schools therefore it is better when elections are done once students sitting for main exams have completed their exams.
4) December is the time when people can take leave and travel upcountry without worrying to come back to work within a few days.
5) It is good for a new Government to start at the beginning of the year.
6) There are no heavy rains in December that can hamper election process.
7) Many Kenyans know this is an election year and any decision to move it to next year is demoralizing.
8) Elections that are done when many people are busy can be easily manipulated, we have seen this during by-elections and many democratic Kenyans would agree with me.
Just to name a few reasons.

Therefore it is up to Kibaki and Raila to make a rational decision on this important day to Kenyans.

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