IEBC speaks on Kiambaa, Muguga by- elections, puts Jubilee, UDA on the spot
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, IEBC has asked any aggrieved parties in the recently concluded by-elections to seek legal redress instead of tainting the image of the electoral body.
In a press statement released in the evening of Thursday, July 22 IEBC said it successfully conducted the by elections on July 15, 2021 and that it's attention had been drawn to a statement by a politician who said otherwise during a live TV interview.
"The attention of the commission has been drawn to remarks made by Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi, who while appearing on a local television programme, cast doubts on the authenticity of the Kiambaa by-election results alleging that some candidates got the same number of votes in different polling stations," IEBC said.
In the Kiambaa by-elections, IEBC declared United Democratic Alliance’s (UDA) John Njuguna winner of the seat by garnering 21,773 votes against Jubilee's Kariri Njama's who managed 21,263 votes.
Although there were eight aspirants contesting to replace former MP Paul Koinange who died in March, the horse race was against Jubilee and UDA.
In its statement to the press yesterday, IEBC said it has uploaded the result forms of the Kimbaa Member of National Assembly on its website for references by members of the public.
"The commission wishes to state that the return of similar number of votes in different polling stations in respect of candidate during elections is purely confidential," IEBC further said.
The commission claimed that all the by-elections it has conducted since 2017 General Elections have been well conducted resulting in candidates accepting the results as a true reflection of the will of the people.
"In the event there are any aggrieved parties in the electoral process, they are at liberty to seek legal redress instead of making unwarranted attacks on the Electoral Management Body," IEBC said.
Led by Chairman Wafula Chebukati, IEBC claimed the attacks on the commission are not only denting it's image but are also setting a bad precedent ahead of the 2022 polls.
The commission further argued that: all by elections activities were planned and executed with participation of relevant stakeholders and that counting and announcement of results was done at the polling station in the presence of accredited agents, observers and media.
"That agents of the candidates confirm the results and append their signatures on the results form. Thereafter, agents are issued with a copy of the results from and a copy posted at the polling station," IEBC said,
It also argued that the Returning Officer collected, announced and declared results as the result forms from the polling stations presented by the Presiding Officers.
Chebukati asked all stakeholders to partner with the commission in discharged of its mandate leading to the 2022 General Elections.
