In order to ensure the conduct of free and fair 2021 elections, KUPPET has made these Regulations for its branch elections. These Regulations are meant to facilitate a smooth electoral process in the COVID era.
The Regulations borrow from national laws governing Trade Union elections and KUPPET’s Registered Constitution which stipulate procedures for the entire election process
MANAGEMENT OF KUPPET BRANCH ELECTIONS
The Elections are managed by the office of the Commissioner of Labour. KUPPET has provided the election managers with its Registered Constitution, the Register of Members for each county and ballot materials.
KUPPET National Officials will be present at polling stations to observe the elections and resolve any logistical challenges that might occur.
RIGHTS OF KUPPET BRANCH ELECTIONS CANDIDATES
Each candidate has the right to inspect voting materials including the Venue of Elections, the Register, Ballot Papers and Ballot Boxes, before the start of voting.
Candidates are encouraged to hold a joint meeting with Returning Officers (Labour Officers) between 7.00 am and 8.00 am on the material day to set ground rules and generally improvise on these Regulations based on local contexts.
ARRANGEMENTS IN POLLING STATIONS
Due to the COVID pandemic, the union advises that the election be conducted in open space. Measures should be taken to protect ballot boxes and other materials under shade and away from rainfall.
The Returning Officers will ensure that the positioning of candidate agents and observers does not breach COVID protocols.
ENTRY INTO POLLING STATION
The union has made arrangements to ensure compliance with COVID-19 management protocols. All members, election managers and observers will be required to wear facemasks at all times. People will be allowed entry into the stations only after their body temperatures have been checked.
IDENTIFICATION OF MEMBERS
From the health check, members will proceed to the Registration Desk where they will be directed to queues in accordance with the last digit of their TSC Numbers.
Verification of full KUPPET membership will be based on TSC Numbers and National Identity Cards.
Trainers from TVET institutions will be identified through the same process, using their Personal Numbers from the Public Service Commission.
Only teachers and trainers whose names appear in the Register will be issued with one ballot paper in respect of all the 10 positions being contested, upon which their names will be crossed from the Register.
The voter will then proceed to the designated booths/tables, mark his/her ballots and cast them in the ballot boxes.
EASE OF MOVEMENT
To ease pressure in polling stations and avoid over-crowding, the union will provide one clearing/voting desk for every 300 registered members per station.
Members are advised to leave the station immediately after voting. No backward movement of voters will be allowed at the station. This will allow the process to be completed in time for polling stations to close at 5.00 pm.
CLOSURE OF VOTING
The polling station will close at 5.00 pm. Any members still on the queue by then will be allowed to vote, but no new members will be admitted at the stations.
COUNTING AND TALLYING
During the counting process, only the candidates, their designated agents and accredited observers will be allowed into the counting hall. With the guidance by the Returning Officers, candidates will agree on the order of vote-counting and declaration of results.
UNION MANDATE
As provided in law, the Labour Officers will take full charge of the election process, with the union’s responsibility being limited to providing logistics and observation.