The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has addressed allegations of a video circulating purported to be from Malava Constituency which showed residents receiving money and food items from one of the candidates, sparking uproar ahead of the November 27 by-elections.
Addressing the press on Tuesday, November 25, Panyako DAP-K candidate in the by-election claimed that a certain pro-government politician had obtained pre-marked ballot papers and was planning to use them to rig the mini-elections.
He also accused President William Ruto’s administration of alleged voter bribery, intimidation, and plans to rig the upcoming polls.
Speaking yesterday night during an interview on NTV, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, stated that the commission had not yet received any formal complaint regarding the incident.
He explained that the authenticity of the videos alleging bribery could not be immediately verified, and that investigations could only commence once a formal complaint is filed.
The IEBC Chairperson urged members of the public and candidates to follow the proper legal procedures when reporting election-related offences.
“I have seen those videos circulating online and we cannot verify exactly what those videos are. There is always a procedure for us to address such issues, and we urge that the concerned candidates report to the commission through the proper channels,” Ethekon explained.
“We have a returning officer on the ground who can report this matter for investigations so that we can verify and confirm that indeed there were acts of bribery,” he added.
Ethekon called on political parties and candidates to follow the Constitutional provisions for fair and credible elections, warning of dire consequences for candidates who breach the electoral code of conduct.
He cited Article 81 of the Kenyan Constitution, which requires that elections be free from violence, bribery, and intimidation.
“Article 81 states that our elections must be free from violence, bribery and intimidation, and therefore they should not engage in such kinds of acts that are prohibited by our kenyan constitution,” Ethekon affirmed.
