OL KALOU, Kenya – The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has received ballot papers for Thursday’s Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, declaring that all logistical and security arrangements are in place to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election.
The ballot papers arrived in Nyandarua County and were inspected in the presence of IEBC officials, candidates, political party agents and security personnel as part of the commission’s efforts to enhance transparency ahead of the highly anticipated vote.
IEBC Commissioner Hassan Noor, who is overseeing the exercise, said the commission was fully prepared to conduct a credible election that reflects the will of the people of Ol Kalou.
He said the electoral body had worked closely with security agencies to safeguard voters, election officials and election materials throughout the polling process.
According to Noor, candidates and their agents verified the ballot papers and other election materials before signing documents confirming that everything was in order.
He warned that security agencies were on high alert and ready to respond to anyone attempting to disrupt the electoral process, stressing that voters should be able to exercise their democratic rights without intimidation or interference.
Noor also reaffirmed the commission’s independence, saying IEBC officials would remain neutral and would not favour any candidate during the by-election.
IEBC Commissioner Ann Nderitu urged voters and political stakeholders to comply with existing electoral laws, emphasizing that the commission would not introduce any new procedures for the by-election.
She reminded residents that only accredited individuals would be allowed inside polling stations, apart from voters casting their ballots.
Nderitu encouraged voters to leave polling stations immediately after voting to allow election officials to conduct the exercise efficiently and avoid unnecessary congestion.
She added that vote counting would take place openly at each polling station in the presence of candidates’ agents, election observers and the media, with journalists allowed to photograph official result forms to enhance transparency.
The IEBC maintained that the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election would be conducted in line with constitutional principles of openness, accountability, credibility and verifiability.
