The Independent Electoral and Boundaries IEBC has warned that the commission could postpone or cancel the Ol- Kalou parliamentary by-election if violence, voter bribery and breaches of the electoral code of conduct continue.
IEBC Chairman Erastus Ethekon has warned that while the commission is committed to conducting a free and fair election, it will not hesitate to postpone or cancel the poll if conditions do not allow for a credible exercise.
“In the event that, working with the security officials and other stakeholders, we find that the environment is not conducive enough for us to conclude the by-election in Ol Kalou, we will be left with no choice other than to take the most unfortunate and drastic step of postponing the elections in Ol Kalou. And if that’s not enough, we will cancel it altogether,” IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said.
Ethekon has said the commission has received reports of voter bribery, misinformation and the use of suspected goons and a team has been dispatched teams to investigate the allegations and will summon anyone found to be have breached electoral rules.
“When we find any culpability or any breaches of the code of conduct, the proper remedies shall apply up to, including disqualifying some of those candidates,” he said.
The opposition has accused the government of bribery with images shared online showing residents being handed mattresses branded with Governement of Kenya ‘GOK’ logos while the government has accused DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua of intimidating business men who fail to support the opposition candidate in the polls.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu has called for continuous learning, transparency and stronger collaboration among institutions involved in elections to enhance public confidence in the electoral system.
She expressed optimism that Kenya’s electoral processes will continue improving, with the hope that future general elections will be so well managed that they will not result in presidential election petitions before the Supreme Court.
