Haki Africa Blames Poll Misharps on IEBC

By Tobby Otum

The decision by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission [IEBC] to postpone the gubernatorial elections for Kakamega and Mombasa counties and for some parliamentary seats continues to elicit reaction.

Haki Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid wants the electoral body to take up the responsibility as the body that identified the printers of the ballot papers.

He pointed out the postponement of the elections has denied the people their right to vote for their leaders.

“The voting exercise that was postponed include parliamentary elections in Kacheliba, West Pokot, Pokot South and Rongai in Nakuru,” he pointed out.

Khalid reiterated that the IEBC postponed two gubernatorial and three parliamentary elections due to a mix up of ballot papers at polling centers.

He spoke during a brief ceremony at the organization’s office in Mvita constituency in Mombasa County while releasing their report on the just concluded general election which saw chaos and violence at the Bomas of Kenya national tallying centre in Nairobi.

The Haki Africa Executive Director told journalists they received at least 23 complaints from registered voters who were unable to vote because their names were not found in the KIEMS kit or the voter register despite possessing voter’s cards.

He added that in many areas across the country, the KIEMS kits were reported not to have functioned at all.

“This included the polling station where one of the Presidential candidates was to vote and other polling stations across the country,” he pointed out.
The Haki Africa boss reported that voting did not begin at the required time of 6 am adding that the IEBC was late to deploy officers to tallying centres.

He gave an example of Mvita constituency in Mombasa county where voting had not yet commenced by 9 am.

“Our organization documented at least 13 incidences where IEBC officers were accused of engaging in electoral malpractices by witnesses,” he said.

Khalid said these incidences are higher compared to past elections adding that such cases were confirmed by observers in Mombasa, Kwale, Nairobi, Lamu, Kilifi, Voi and Uasin Gishu counties.

“This is worrying because the IEBC as the mediator should have done better through training during the recruitment to ensure their staff are above reproach,” he said.