The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) on Thursday, April 14, dismissed reports of fake and pre-marked ballot papers as claimed by a section of aspirants in the ongoing party primaries.
Speaking at Hustler Center in Nairobi, the chairperson of the UDA National Elections Board (NEB), Anthony Mwaura, maintained that there were no counterfeit ballot papers and investigations into the matter were underway.
He added that the party had printed the ballot papers with unique features that could not be replicated nor mass-produced anywhere, further dismissing the notion of pre-marked ballot papers.
"Our ballot papers are peculiar, they have got watermarks, serial numbers and are serialised and nobody can give any evidence that they can be found anywhere. They cannot even be photocopied," Mwaura stated.
Mwaura admitted that the party faced logistical challenges that resulted in a delay of the primaries in some counties, adding that shortage of ballots in Kisii County had been sorted out.
The NEB chair added that UDA had moved swiftly to replace ballot materials that had been torched in Bomet and Embu counties.
However, he warned political aspirants against propagating violence in the nominations.
He added that the NEB had identified perpetrators of the skirmishes in the two counties, asking aspirants to tame their supporters from getting involved in any violent behaviour as this had dire consequences.
"In Bomet where we had a peculiar incidence where materials for four polling stations were destroyed, we have been able to mop up and the voting is going on in the 582 centres," Mwaura noted.
"The aspirants who have caused that commotion have been summoned. We have emphasized that we do not condone violence and its has its own repercussions. In UDA, violence leads to automatic disqualification and expulsion from our part," warned Mwaura.
On April 13, UDA summoned three veteran politicians including Norman Nyaga, nominated MCA Margaret Lorna Kariuki and Manyatta MP, John Muchiri, over the skirmishes witnessed in Embu town.
The three seasoned politicians were asked to appear before the UDA Disciplinary Committee after they were captured in a video footage taking part in the torching of some of the polling materials.
"The party is seized with video footage (forwarded herewith) as well as information, material and other evidence which links you with the aforementioned criminal activity in gross violation of the Party Constitution and Code of Conduct," read the summon letters in part.
