NAIROBI, KENYA: The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission will spend Sh340 million in the Siaya, Matungulu and Kibwezi West by-elections.
IEBC CEO James Oswago
Addressing a press conference yesterday in a Kisumu hotel, IEBC CEO James Oswago said preparations were complete for the seven by-elections scheduled for October 17.
‘‘We have also posted enough security personnel in the regions,’’ he said.
Oswago said the commission would use the same voter registration and polling stations that were used in the March 4 general election.
The training of election officials started last week on Wednesday and will be concluded today.
‘‘The commission has already configured all phones for use in the electronic results transmission system and completed the process of procuring services of a network provider,’’ said Oswago.
Form signing
He said voters would be identified on polling day using the Electronic Voter Identification Device (EVID).
Responding to a question that arose during the court proceedings that led to the nullification of Siaya County governor Cornell Rasanga where some party agents allegedly declined to sign form 35s, Oswago said there was need for a legislation to compel them to sign the forms whether their candidates were winning or losing.
‘‘Some party agents are ignorant and disrespectful. And considering how the process is always tedious, it has been hard to deal with them. I want to ask party officials to deploy qualified people for the smooth running of elections,’’ he said.
Oswago asked the media to accurately report the elections, saying his office will be open for any clarification.
Also present was the Siaya county returning officer Jackline Osiemo who said that preparations were complete for the governor by-election.
Osiemo revealed that 1,470 security personnel have been deployed in the county to boost security ahead of the by-elections.
The seats became vacant following poll petitions in which the courts nullified 19 elections.
The nullified elections include those of two governors (Siaya and Lamu counties), one senator (Bungoma County), six MPs ( Matungulu, Kibwezi West, Bomachoge Borabu, Nyaribari Chache, Bonchari and Lungalunga) and nine county assembly ward representatives.
Poll offence
The by-elections for Bungoma County Senator, Bomachoge Borabu and Nyaribari Chache MPs will be conducted on December 19. On the same day, polls will also be held in 11 county assembly wards.
Meanwhile, Siaya governor aspirant William Oduol has been summoned by the IEBC for allegedly breaking electoral rules.
Oduol was summoned on Thursday by the IEBC for using Cord leader Raila Odinga’s picture in his campaigns.
IEBC Siaya County Coordinator Jacqueline Osiemo issued the summons following complaints by ODM.
Contacted, Oduol acknowledged having used former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s photos in his campaign materials.
“I never used the postures containing Odinga intentionally, as I was using the previous elections postures,” he stated.
By HEZRON OCHIEL and LAWRENCE ALURU, The Standard
