Challenges about the effectiveness of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) continue to mount as the poll body faces concerns of resource constraints, political interference and corruption.

This comes amid the ongoing interviews for the position of the IEBC chairperson.

A survey done by Infotrak and released yesterday revealed widespread apprehension regarding the commission’s ability to oversee credible elections. External interference emerged as a significant concern, with 39 per cent of respondents expressing doubts that the commission may be swayed by political forces beyond its control, thereby risking the impartiality of its operations.

“This perception is feared to undermine public trust in the electoral process,” reads the survey.

Corruption also remains a pressing issue, with 38 per cent of respondents pointing to concerns about the management of funds, procurement irregularities and financial misappropriations. The issue of corruption has resurfaced following the IEBC’s budget estimate of Sh61 billion for the 2027 elections.

The lack of a full commission was another critical point raised, with 38 per cent of respondents highlighting the absence of key commissioners as a major challenge. Without a complete team in place, the commission faces difficulties in making vital decisions. Funding challenges were also identified as a major barrier, with 23 per cent of those surveyed pointing out the limited financial resources. This shortage could affect the commission’s ability to deploy election materials, train election officials, and upgrade crucial election technology.

Another 13 per cent of respondents flagged the lack of manpower and outdated election equipment as additional obstacles that hinder efficiency, with three  per cent of respondents raising concerns about the absence of clear legal guidelines for dispute resolution.

The findings shed light on long-standing issues at the IEBC as the panel reviews candidates for the chairperson role, with 11 individuals are slated to be interviewed.