Deputy Presiding Officer (DPO)

Role Overview

The Deputy Presiding Officer is the second-in-command at a polling station, supporting the Presiding Officer in running the station lawfully, punctually and without disruption from setup through to the handover of results. The work blends hands-on operation of the KIEMS kit — charging, testing, connectivity checks and opening or closing the voting period — with practical people management such as directing the queue, supervising clerks and keeping order alongside security personnel. Because results are tabulated, shown to agents and transmitted from the station under this officer's watch, the post carries direct responsibility for whether the outcome recorded at that station is trusted.

Key Responsibilities

• Deputise for the Presiding Officer and take full charge of the polling station in their absence, including supervision of every electoral official stationed there.
• Demarcate and lay out the polling station before voting begins, confirming that the KIEMS kit, spare power bank and all accompanying components are present, complete and fully charged prior to departure for the station.
• Run the network connectivity tool on the KIEMS at 5.30am, then formally open the polling period on the device and close it at the end of voting.
• Officially declare polling open and issue voting materials to the clerks working at the station.
• Keep voters moving in an orderly queue and maintain law and order across the station's grounds in coordination with security personnel.
• Tabulate results and logs, display the tabulated figures to party agents before anything is sent, and transmit the results electronically from the station to the tallying centre.
• Post a copy of the results publicly at the polling station and physically deliver the results to the Constituency Returning Officer.
• Report regularly to the Constituency Returning Officer, and ensure election materials are retrieved and returned safely to the Returning Officer once the exercise ends.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Kenyan citizenship, with a demonstrated record of personal integrity and strict political neutrality.
• A degree or diploma from a recognised institution.
• Working computer literacy, sufficient to operate election technology and follow technical prompts without assistance.
• Clear verbal communication skills and the confidence to give instructions to officials, agents and voters.
• Competence in writing accurate, structured reports.
• Proven ability to supervise staff and to handle sensitive data and voting materials responsibly.
• Practical skills in data computation and result tabulation.
• Availability for the whole duration of the exercise, with no conflicting commitments.
• Residence within the County Assembly Ward where the assignment is based.

What We Offer / Why Join

• A daily rate of Kshs. 1,800 for each day worked as a Deputy Presiding Officer across the full exercise period.
• A defined supervisory post with real operational authority at the polling station, rather than a purely supporting clerical role.
• Direct exposure to election technology, results transmission and tallying processes at constituency level.
• The chance to serve the public interest by helping deliver a transparent, orderly vote in your own ward.