Bill: Employers to be fined Sh1m if workers don't vote

Employers who will not give employees reasonable time to participate in elections will be fined Sh1 million or serve a six-year jail term.

And politicians who use public officers to force any person to back a candidate or a political party will be fined Sh10 million or serve a six-year jail term.

These are some of the radical proposals contained in The Elections Offences Bill, 2016, which seeks to consolidate the crimes relating to elections into one act to enhance the administration of polls.

"No employer shall make any deduction from the pay of any such voter or impose from them any penalty by reason of his absence during such period," the bill partly reads.

The bill, which was tabled for second reading yesterday at the National Assembly, further seeks to ensure clarity with respect to some of the existing provisions which, as currently set out in the Elections Act, make it difficult to prosecute offenders.

"A candidate or any other person who uses a public officer, or the national security organs to compel any person to support a particular candidate or political party commits an offense," reads the bill in part.

Those found guilty of voter bribery or intimidation will be fined Sh2 million or in default be jailed for six years.

The same penalty will be effected on individuals who induce others to agree to be nominated as a candidate, to refrain from becoming a candidate or to withdraw their candidature if they have been chosen.

And with concern over spending of public resources in campaigns by some candidates who currently hold offices, the bill empowers the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to demand a full account of all the state resources that are at the disposal of public officers.

"The commission shall, in writing require any candidate who is an MP, governor, a deputy county governor or MCA, to state the facilities attached to them or any equipment normally in the custody of the candidate by virtue of that office," the bill reads.