The polls agency has issued a stern warning to those it termed as “busybody politicians” attempting to position themselves as unofficial overseers of the upcoming Parliamentary by-election in Ol Kalou on Thursday.
Speaking during a joint press conference with police on Tuesday, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said disruptive conduct that has happened at polling stations in the past will not be allowed to recur.
“There are politicians who purport to behave like super agents. They come to polling stations and try to disturb the peaceful conduct of elections. We won’t allow anybody — whether a senior politician or leader in this country who hasn’t been cleared by IEBC — to come with their supporters to overrun the polling station. We’ve asked police to help us deal with this,” he said.
He warned that no political figure, regardless of seniority, would be allowed to interfere with polling stations without clearance from the Commission.
Police on ‘goon watch’
Police boss Douglas Kanja, meanwhile, revealed that more than 1,000 officers will be deployed to secure the by-election process and material. Additionally, he said, specialised teams will be deployed to monitor cases of illegal gatherings and individuals trying to cause chaos amid the rising phenomenon of goonism.
“To the young people, do not allow yourself to be used by anyone to cause disruption in Ol Kalou,” IG Kanja cautioned.
Party agent restrictions, no mobile phones
Mr Ethekon reminded politiccal parties and candidates that only one agent will be allowed at the polling station and another at the tallying centre, in a bid to curb interference in the process.
“We shall not allow anybody roaming around polling stations purporting to be agents if they’re not appointed by the parties or the candidates themselves,” he warned.
Mr Ethekon further cautioned against the use of mobile phones inside voting booths, warning that photographing a marked ballot is a criminal offence punishable by up to three years in jail.
“Use of mobile phones in the voting booth is prohibited…I don’t know what motivates people to expose who they voted for.”
The IEBC chairperson also moved to counter what he described as misleading information circulating ahead of the by-election, after a politician reportedly urged Ol Kalou residents not to carry identification documents to the polls.
“A certain politician has urged the citizens of Ol Kalou not to show up with their IDs or passports. That’s completely misleading. IEBC is dealing with that matter decisively,” he said, reiterating that identification remains mandatory for all voters…All voters must turn out with valid ID cards or passport,” he said.
