The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Monday announced that it would prosecute all its staff who engage in electoral misconduct during the August 8 elections.
Speaking at a meeting convened by the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) in Nairobi, IEBC Commissioner Roselyn Akombe stated that unlike in the past where electoral mistakes went unpunished, this year electoral offenders would be severely disciplined under the Election Offences Act.
"Unlike in 2013, this year the law requires that errant officers be held individually criminally liable for their actions," she stated.
The commissioner further noted that all the election officials will be required to take oaths whereas Presiding officers would be specifically expected to update returning officers on the number of ballot papers they have issued at three-hour intervals.
"After every three hours, the presiding officer will furnish the returning officer with the number of ballot papers issued, which must be consistent with the voter turnout," Akombe mentioned.
In regards to election preparedness, she noted that all was in place and explained that IEBC had put in place effective measures to ensure that everything moves smoothly.
She assured Kenyans that the elections would be free and fair and confirmed that voters who would not find their details in the electronic system would be provided with a printed register and Form 32a filled in the presence of all party agents.
Dr Akombe further noted that a simulation exercise to test the transmission of results will be conducted on Monday 31st July 2017.
"We would have wanted to do it earlier but most of the stations are schools, which still are open. However, the same register is in all 290 constituency headquarters and also online, and can be obtained by sending a text message," the commissioner explained.
