Speaking during a political podcast interview, the former electoral official said Kenyans must understand the different forms of election interference if they hope to protect democracy ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Oswago, who previously served as CEO of both the IEBC and the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC), claimed there are multiple indicators used globally to assess whether an election has been compromised.
Among the methods he highlighted were digital manipulation, political violence, gerrymandering, compromised electoral commissions, and interference with election observer reports.
According to Oswago, one of the most dangerous forms of manipulation is digital interference involving electronic voting systems and transmission technologies such as the Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS). Here The Ways On Elections Can Be Rigged In 2027
He argued that highly sophisticated election technology can become vulnerable if not properly secured.
He pointed to international examples, including claims of foreign interference in the 2016 United States presidential election and controversies surrounding Brazil’s electronic voting systems, to demonstrate that even advanced democracies struggle with concerns over electoral credibility.
On political violence, Oswago said chaos is sometimes deliberately instigated in areas perceived to support opposition candidates in order to suppress voter turnout and influence final results. He noted that such tactics can significantly affect the balance of votes in tightly contested elections.
The former IEBC boss also questioned the independence of electoral bodies when commissioners are appointed without broad political consensus.
Referring to Kenya’s 2007 General Election, he argued that failure to involve opposition voices in the appointment of electoral commissioners weakened public confidence in the process.
Oswago further claimed that election observer missions can also become part of the problem if they arrive with political biases or external interests.
Oswago further claimed that election observer missions can also become part of the problem if they arrive with political biases or external interests.
According to him, some observer reports are influenced by the institutions sponsoring them, making it difficult to achieve fully neutral assessments.
His remarks come at a time when political tensions over the credibility of the 2027 elections continue to grow.
His remarks come at a time when political tensions over the credibility of the 2027 elections continue to grow.
Several opposition leaders have recently raised fears about possible manipulation, while some allies of President William Ruto have faced criticism over controversial statements interpreted as references to vote rigging.
Despite the concerns, both the IEBC and President Ruto have publicly assured Kenyans that the next election will be free, fair, transparent, and verifiable.
Despite the concerns, both the IEBC and President Ruto have publicly assured Kenyans that the next election will be free, fair, transparent, and verifiable.
0 Comments