The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has assured Kenyans that the KIEMS kits have additional two power banks each, capable of carrying it through the voting and transmission exercise.
Responding to power outage fear during elections, IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati said the three batteries have sufficient power to last beyond the voting and transmission period.
“The KIEMS kit has an internal battery and two external batteries (power banks) that are fully charged before deployment,” said the commission in a statement.
Chebukati also pointed out that the KIEMS kit voter identification function is offline and hence does not require network connectivity.
“For purposes of electronic transmission of results, the KIEMS kit is fitted with both primary and secondary GSM sim cards to ensure continuity of the network in case one fails,” added Chebukati.
The Commission also stated that it will deploy satellite modems as a backup in case of failure.
IEBC has also been queried about cases of insecurity that might prevent voters from carrying out a smooth exercise, specifically, at what point the commission can call off elections at a polling station, centre, or region.
Chebukati further said all polling stations will be open from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm and in case of delays, the commission stated that the Presiding officer shall extend the hours of polling by the amount of time lost by starting late.
At the same time, Chebukati noted that the last batch of ballot papers will be delivered today ahead of Tuesday’s polls.