IEBC probes claims of aspirants bribing voters

IEBC Chief Executive Ezra Chiloba

Politicians bribing voters to transfer to different polling stations risk being barred from vying for political offices, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has said.

The commission is investigating allegations of mass transfers aided by aspirants seeking to solidify their strongholds.

IEBC Chief Executive Ezra Chiloba said the commission would take action if they found evidence of mass transfers done under the influence of bribery or other inducements.

"We are asking the political class to be warned that this is an issue that could easily affect their candidature," he said.

His sentiments were echoed by IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati, who said the commission would punish any aspirants found guilty of electoral offences.

"Whereas any Kenyan is allowed to register anywhere, the decision to transfer the vote to a particular electoral area should not be done under undue influence or any form of bribery," said Mr Chebukati.

special OUTREACH

Mr Chiloba said the probe had revealed that some voters had changed their voting stations more than once in the current mass registration period.

Meanwhile, regional election co-ordinators have been directed to conduct a special outreach targeting university and college students. The programme will run between February 8 and February 14.

"We know there is an ongoing lecturers' strike but the students are still in the institutions. If the universities are closed before the said date, then we will not grant this period as they (students) will be expected to register at home," Chebukati said.

He said they had also planned to register prisoners, in compliance with the ruling of the Supreme Court, from February 20-27, but said inmates only be allowed to vote for presidential candidates. He said the commission was still making proposals on regulations to govern the participation of inmates in elections.