Politicians Face Disqualification as IEBC Issues Tough Guidelines

by Ian Muyumba on Friday, 21 January 2022 - 4:58 pm

IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati addresses the media at a press conference in August 2021

File

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has gazetted guidelines for the upcoming August 2022 elections.

These directives are centred around the commission's Electoral Code of Conduct and the Elections Offences Act, 2016.

Among the tough conditions stipulated in the Code of Conduct, whose aim is to promote a conducive environment for free and fair elections, is an order refraining politicians from actions that may spark divisions in the country.

Politicians were also implored to avoid making remarks that border hate speech, language or any action that may lead to violence or intimidation.

From left: Deputy President William Ruto, President Uhuru Kenyatta and Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga at the Bomas of Kenya on Wednesday, November 27, 2019, during the launch of the Building Bridges Initiative

PSCU

IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati further barred politicians from campaigning in places of worship and burial ceremonies.

Political Parties were also required to have unique identities and refrain from plagiarising colours, symbols and acronyms of other parties.

Further, parties and politicians were discouraged from removing or destroying any campaign material by their rivals.

"They should also not offer any document or reward in order to influence one’s political decision," Chebukati stated.

Politicians were further directed to refrain from abusing their positions, taking advantage of their power privileges, influencing and reporting to discrimination in any form.

In case of any breach of the regulations on the code of conduct, the Commission is mandated to impose penalties or sanctions. These sanctions are not limited to formal warnings, fines determined by the commission, and prohibition from using public media time allocated to the party being penalized.

Political Parties or candidates can also be barred by the commission from holding public meetings or publishing and distributing their campaign literature if they are deemed to have breached the Code of Conduct.

These regulations bind political parties, party leaders, office bearers, political party agents, members and supporters as well as candidates seeking elective positions.

The Commission gazetted and confirmed August 9, 2022, as the date for the General Election.