Four officials recruited by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to oversee the elections in Ndhiwa constituency, Homa Bay county, have been disqualified over alleged malpractices.

The four — a presiding officer of a polling station in Kanyadoto Ward, two deputy presiding officers of stations in Kanyadoto Ward and a clerk of a polling station in Kwabwai Ward — were dismissed yesterday after they were found at a meeting with political candidates in the election.

They were at the home of an aspiring candidate in Riat in Kanyikela Ward and were allegedly planning to stuff ballot papers in favour of certain candidates.

On Monday, the commission, through Homa Bay’s returning officer, Fredrick Apopa, said the officials had been disqualified over the offence.

Concerned residents stormed the politician’s home and called the police to arrest the  suspects.  – Noven Owiti

Apopa said they were removed from work for taking part in unlawful meetings.

”We’ve made arrangements to hire other people to replace the vacancies created by the dismissed individuals. The commission established that they can no longer be trusted with management of the election,” said Apopa.

The IEBC officer said the sacked individuals are said to have been meeting politicians among them an MCA and a parliamentary aspirant from a political party in Ndhiwa constituency.

He said the details of their discussions in the meetings have not been established.

The revelations on the officials’ actions came after some concerned residents stormed the home, frog-matched the suspects before calling police to arrest them.

They were later taken to Ndhiwa police station for interrogation.

Other officials from the commission who believed to be part of the meeting managed to escape after they noticed the crowd surging towards the home.

“We’re working together with the police in the investigation process. Necessary action will be taken against them for attempting to engage in electoral malpractice,” Apopa said.

Among those expected to be questionnaire residents who took the officials to Ndhiwa police station. The outcome of the probe will determine whether they will be charged.