IEBC chairman Erastus Ethekon during a media briefing /HANDOUT
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has warned politicians against deploying "super agents" to interfere with Thursday’s voting in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said security agencies have been directed to take firm action against anyone attempting to disrupt the electoral process.
Speaking at a joint press briefing with Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the commission had noted the growing phenomenon of influential politicians operating outside the law during elections.
"We have asked the National Police Service and all security agencies to help us deal with this phenomenon of super agents, who are mainly some of the senior politicians in this country," Ethekon said.
"We will not like to see that happening in Ol Kalou and, should it happen, we will take decisive action against those individuals."
Ethekon also reminded political parties, candidates and their supporters that campaigns officially ended at 6pm Monday and no form of campaigning would be allowed at or near polling stations.
He said voters wearing party-branded clothing, badges or other campaign materials would not be allowed into polling stations until they complied with the electoral rules.
"We shall not admit any person who is wearing a badge, clothing, symbol or any other item signifying support for a political party or candidate," he said.
"The campaign period ended yesterday at 6pm. We do not expect campaigns at our polling stations when citizens are supposed to show up in a neutral environment to vote."
The IEBC chair urged voters to cast their ballots and leave polling stations immediately to allow others to vote and to safeguard order throughout the exercise.
"Once you cast your vote, please exit the polling station immediately to allow other voters the opportunity to exercise their right to vote. Please go home and wait for the results," he said.
Ethekon said vote counting would begin immediately after polling closes in the presence of accredited agents and candidates or their representatives to guarantee transparency.
He also disclosed that every polling station would have dedicated police officers responsible for maintaining law and order within the legally designated security perimeter.
"The presiding officer at every polling station is assigned two police officers who will maintain law and order within the polling station area. We urge voters to respect our polling stations, our officers and follow their instructions," he said.
Kanja assured residents that adequate security personnel had been deployed across the constituency to ensure a peaceful, free and credible election.
The electoral commission and the police appealed to voters to remain peaceful, obey election laws and avoid any actions that could undermine the integrity of the by-election.
