NAIROBI, Kenya – The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has pledged to conduct the Ol Kalou by-election in a transparent and credible manner, assuring voters and candidates that safeguards have been put in place to protect the integrity of the electoral process.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said party agents will be permitted to photograph Form 34A at polling stations and share the images with their candidates immediately after the results are declared at the polling station.
“The results management and declaration process will be transparent. Agents will be allowed to take photos of Form 34A and send them to their candidates. Ballot boxes will be counted and results tabulated in an open and transparent process,” Ethekon said.
He said the commission had introduced additional transparency measures aimed at strengthening public trust in the outcome of the by-election.
Ethekon also cautioned politicians against breaching the Electoral Code of Conduct, noting that the commission had already acted against several individuals over alleged campaign-related misconduct.
“We have summoned some politicians and taken action against some of them, including imposing fines and requiring them to sign the Political Parties Code of Conduct. The Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee will continue its work until after the results are announced,” Ethekon said.
He called on voters, candidates and political parties to promptly report any cases of electoral malpractice or violations of election laws, saying the commission is prepared to respond to all complaints.
The Ol Kalou by-election will be the first major electoral test for the reconstituted IEBC under Ethekon’s leadership.
The commission says it is committed to ensuring the poll is conducted in accordance with the law, with openness and accountability guiding the voting, counting and results declaration process.