Candidates vow to contest despite IEBC mistrust

Zebedeo Opore.

Kisii, Kenya: A CORD candidate in the forthcoming by-election in Bonchari constituency has said he will contest despite calls by their leaders to have the electoral body disbanded.

John Oyioka said he would contest to have “errors” made by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in March 2013 corrected.

“We are forced to participate in the forth coming by-election because it is a necessary evil. I was not comfortable with how IEBC conducted the last election in the constituency but this time we are on the lookout,” said Oyioka. CORD leader Raila Odinga on Saturday warned that the coalition may boycott future contests managed by IEBC unless it is reconstituted.

Raila dismissed IEBC as Kenya’s most corrupt and error-prone electoral body.

The former premier had earlier threatened that CORD will withdraw its candidates in any election presided over by IEBC as currently constituted. Monday, Oyioka said they don’t trust IEBC commissioners, adding that the errors made in the last election cost him the parliamentary seat.

Kitutu Masaba MP Timothy Bosire said they will participate fully in the by-election but will not allow the same IEBC commissioners to be involved in the 2017 General Election.

“Bonchari is an ODM zone and will not allow any rigging. We need an honest exercise in Bonchari. We will emerge winners no matter how much money our opponents will spend in the constituency,” said Bosire.

Mere propaganda

However, Ford People candidate Zebedeo Opore said IEBC has a mandate to carry out any election in Kenya and those questioning its work are spreading mere propaganda after sensing defeat.

“Anyone who has participated in any political campaign knows it is a dirty game where rivals will use anything to crucify an opponent,” said Opore. He said the electoral body cannot support a particular candidate, adding that it is only voters who can decide an election outcome.

“Any politician knows that to win an election, one has to have a strategic campaign and chest thumping will not land you victory,” he said.

Constituency returning officer Peter Resa urged the candidates to avoid utterances that may cause chaos and disrupt voting.

“Parties should present strong candidates and avoid blaming IEBC for their defeat,” said Resa.

We have always held credible elections,” said Resa.