IEBC allays fears over election papers cited by Azimio
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has no plans to print extra ballots, chairman Wafula Chebukati said yesterday.
He told Azimio- One Kenya Coalition to cross-check its facts before issuing what he described as misleading statements.
Chebukati told a press conference yesterday that the Greek firm, which is printing the ballots, will process 22,102,532 papers, which is equal to the number of registered voters. “There is no room for anyone to print extra ballots, such fears should be discarded forthwith,” Chebukati assured.
He was speaking at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where he had received the first batch of ballot papers for the August 9 elections.
Chebukati assured Kenyans that all the ballot papers would be accounted for, as each has been assigned unique serial numbers.
“There would be no additional ballot papers. The ballot papers are serialised and are specific to a polling station,” Chebukati said adding: If there is any spoilt vote, it will be accommodated in the tally. The ballot papers are serialized and are specific to a polling station.”
On claims that there was a scheme to smuggle the extra ballots through the Ugandan border, the commission chair assured that all the ballots will enter the country through the JKIA. “All ballot papers will come through the same process as today, JKIA will be the sole entry point. There will be no ballot papers from Uganda,” Chebukati said.
Rigging claims
The IEBC chair further dismissed claims the commission has been infiltrated by external forces keen on influencing the outcome of the elections.
Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga claimed during a campaign rally in Kiambu that the commission has hatched a plot to rig the elections in favour of their competitor Deputy President William Ruto.
Raila also demanded the use of manual voter registers failing which he will boycott the elections.
During the same rally, Raila’s right-hand man Suna East MP Junet Mohamed claimed that Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetangula has been holding clandestine meetings with Chebukati as part of the plot.
But Chebukati dismissed the assertions that IEBC was under siege by powerful forces, restating that the commission is independent and is guided by the law.
“IEBC is an independent institution. We are not directed by any individual or institution. You may be unhappy with us but as long as we are following the law, we are not worried,” he said.
Chebukati held that the IEBC, “has prepared for the upcoming election more than ever before.”
