IEBC: Hatemongers to be locked out of 2017 elections

IEBC Chief Executive Officer Ezrah Chiloba

The electoral agency has said it will block hate-mongers from contesting in next year’s elections.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) said it is collaborating with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) in gathering data with intention to bar politicians propagating hate from participating in the polls.

IEBC Chief Executive Officer Ezrah Chiloba further announced the commission will work with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to bar politicians with questionable integrity issues from participating in the polls.

“We are collaborating with NCIC, which deals with hate speech and EACC for integrity and there is conversation over vetting of candidates,” said Mr Chiloba, adding “We are collaborating with NCIC to get data on cases of hate speech.”

COHESION CERTIFICATES

At least seven MPs from Jubilee and CORD are facing hate speech-related charges.

The announcement comes barely a month after NCIC’s disclosure that it was working with the electoral body to enact regulations, making it mandatory for those seeking elective seats to obtain social cohesion certificates before they are cleared to run for office.

Chiloba said in the run-up to 2013 polls there were no structured framework to ascertain the integrity of candidates since they were only required to fill a form declaring themselves fit to hold public office.

Meanwhile, the commission has created a new section to handle its huge procurement budget.

It has carved out a procurement department from its financial section as part of its preparation towards the 2017 General Election.

Chiloba said the move will help enhance efficiency in handling procurement as well as prevent conflict of interests among its officers.

“We have already advertised for the position of the procurement director,” he said.