2021 elections: Confusion over national IDs could lead to lower voter turn up

With conflicting statements coming through to the public on whether the national ID will be a requirement for one to vote in the 2021 elections, elections observers now say this confusion may effect voter turn up.

The Electoral commission is mandated by law to communicate and educate on the procedure of election

to the general public.

this role has however come under scrutiny over mixed communications from the EC over the use of National IDs during the upcoming elections.

EC has said that possessing a national ID will not automatically make someone eligible to vote as they have to be registered voters.

But the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has  often said that those who do not possess national IDs will not vote in the 2021 elections.

This has sparked criticism especially from election observers saying these contradictory positions have sowed confusion.

Citizens Coalition for Electoral Democracy coordinator and election observer Crispy Kaheru said that the impression being created is one that does not represent what actually happens during the election period.

He called upon the EC and NIRA to harmonise their position.

Electoral commission spokesperson Jotham Taremwa however denied the existence of a rift in

communication between the elections body and NIRA.

Taremwa gave context to the reason as to why the ID will not be as necessary for one to vote.

The People Power movement has constantly urged its supporters to get national IDs ahead of the election.