The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was a victim of an attack from Kenyans after announcing that it had printed 20,818,000 Presidential ballot papers.
Kenyans on social media questioned why the electoral body had printed the over 20 Million ballot papers instead of 19,687,563 required.
IEBC in a tweet explained that difference was meant to cater for any spoilt papers before the election day.
IEBC noted that the excess papers were only representing 1% of the total number of registered voters.
20,818,000 Presidential ballot papers, in 416,360 booklets, arrive on 31st and 1st. Sum is inclusive of 1% provision in case of spoilt vote
— IEBC (@IEBCKenya) July 29, 2017
The 1% additional ballot papers is to cater for spoilt ballots before voting. Each booklet has 50 pages. So rounded off to the nearest 50 pic.twitter.com/NzNrpyOsPu
— IEBC (@IEBCKenya) July 29, 2017
Kenyans on social media, however, created a hashtag #extraballotsscandal where they questioned IEBC's calculations arguing that 1% would be equivalent to 196, 875 ballot papers and not the over 900,000 papers.
Most users accused IEBC of plotting a scheme to rig the elections.
Here are some reactions:
#ExtraBallotsScandal @IEBCKenya @BBCAfrica We'll not permit this kind of haberdashery. 1M extra ballot papers is a loophole for rigging.
— Brihum (@brihum) July 30, 2017
Seems 1% of Al Ghurair is different from 1% of IEBC... #ExtraBallotsScandal
— King of Shadows (@SteveJumaaa) July 30, 2017
#ExtraBallotsScandal over 1m more ballot papers. @IEBCKenya should tell us if this is 1% extra as per the law pic.twitter.com/wkoBNLDa9S
— Collins Java (@CollinsJava) July 30, 2017
These IEBC guys they are going to burn our country #ExtraBallotsScandal
— Cila_Wekesa (@cilawek) July 30, 2017
@IEBCKenya does not mean good for Kenya. They`ll cause bring this country to its knees. #ExtraBallotsScandal
— WILLY ODIDA (@WOdida) July 30, 2017
No extra ballot papers for Senatorial seat , MCAs , Governors and MPs. @IEBCKenya only interested in presidency #ExtraBallotsScandal
— Asamo (@Asamoh_) July 30, 2017
#ExtraBallotsScandal get your arithmetic right, 1% of 19.6 million is 196,115 not 1.2 million. This time kumenuka. You won't rig.
— Jen Ochola Kochola (@JohnOchola7) July 30, 2017
#ExtraBallotsScandal
A ballot paper is not an answer sheet, that when you spoil 1 you are given another. Those extra ballots are for rigging— MOBIMBA YA MALADE (@muroga2000) July 30, 2017
#ExtraBallotsScandal is meant to rig elections by the poll body. Kenya will never conduct a free, fair, and Credible elections..
— Jeje The Solicitor (@osigakevin) July 30, 2017
Who paid 4 the #ExtraBallotsScandal. Y is xtra papers when turnout can't b 100%. @IEBCKenya every step u r making is questionable.
— WuodKogelo. (@nyakwaronduru) July 30, 2017
