The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Sunday February 4, conducted mock elections in 1,450 wards around the country as a test run before the General Election. The trial run was aimed at educating Kenyans on how they will vote come Monday, March 4 and also to test the data transmission system. It was also expected to give the IEBC an indication as to how long each voter was likely to take in the polling booth.
The simulation revealed that voter ignorance could slow down the pace of voting next week. Some voters got confused before completing the process because of the multiple ballot papers and boxes. It is feared that such confusion could lead some voters to cast invalid votes. As a result, the IEBC has hired special clerks to ensure voters cast their ballots correctly.
Kenya goes to the poll on 4 March 2013 in one of the most complex voting process in its electoral history. For the first time ever, voters will be expected to cast six ballots beginning with the Presidential, Governor, Senator, Member of National Assembly, Women Representative, and Member of County Assembly.