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Team arrives in Bomachoge to prepare for poll

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Published on Monday, 22 June 2009 19:00
The Interim Independent Electoral Commission on Friday took over the offices of the disbanded Electoral Commission of Kenya in Gucha District in readiness for the Bomachoge by-election. Led by Commissioner Hamala Ibrahim, the team received the assets of the ECK from district commissioner Asha Kiiva.

Ms Ibrahim said that the new team will embark on new voter registration on June 29 ahead of the August 27 polls.She said that the IIEC staff in Bomachoge have been trained on how to conduct a fair and transparent election.

“The by-election is a litmus test to the IIEC and we want to assure Kenyans that we will do a clean and commendable job,” said Ms Ibrahim.Commissioner Davis Chirchir said that next week, after registration starts, the IIEC will launch a voter education campaign to inform the public on the need for new voter cards. Old cards will not be used in the poll.

The returning officer, Mr Thomas Ingolo, is expected to recruit clerks on Monday and train them extensively. The IIEC has advertised for recruitment of 260 polling clerks in the 131 polling centres in Bomachoge Constituency. There will be two clerks in each polling centre.

Aspirants are required to present their nomination forms at the Ogembo IIEC offices on July 27 and 29 between 8 am and 1 pm.The IIEC also pledged to establish a level playing ground for all political parties in the Bomachoge and Shinyalu by-elections.

Commissioner Douglas Mwashigadi issued a tough warning to officials of the IIEC and those seconded to it to do their work without undue influence.He said the IIEC had taken measures to check any attempt to import voters from constituencies neighbouring Bomachoge and Shinyalu in the August 27 polls.

Transparent ballot boxes will be used for the first time during voting to eliminate any suspicions of cheating.The commissioners, who had visited Shinyalu Constituency, addressed a meeting at Kambiri Market.

And former Bomachoge MP Joel Onyancha has withdrawn an application he filed in the Court of Appeal challenging the nullification of his election.Mr Onyancha withdrew the appeal on Thursday, saying it had been overtaken by events because the seat had already been declared vacant by the Speaker and dates for the by-election had already been set.