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IIEC asked to ban early campaigns in Kitutu Masaba

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Published on Wednesday, 12 October 2011 15:13

An aspirant in the forthcoming Kitutu Masaba by-election yesterday asked the Interrim Independent Electoral Commission to ban early campaigns in the constituency.

Onsiyo Obwaya said candidates must adhere to the rules governing the by-election.

“There is need for the electoral body to be very keen on those who are engaging in early campaigns because the right time has not come,” Obwaya said.
Obwaya told the IIEC to also ban night campaigns for the sake of the security of the constituents.
He urged his opponents to dwell on issues instead of personalising the campaigns saying the decision to elect a leader lies on the hands of the constituents.
“We need to dwell on issues during the campaigns because at the end of the day it the electorate which will decide,” he added.

The aspirant at the same time asked his opponents to stop zoning campaigns areas saying that each is entitled to crisscross the whole constituency to solicit for votes.
About two weeks ago Eastern Nyanza Regional Commmsioner Lydiah Muriuki asked the candidates to engage in peaceful campaigns.
Muriuki cautioned the candidates against violence, warning that action will be taken against perpetrators.
The RC instead asked the aspirants to embrace peace and desist from hate speech a head of the by-election scheduled for November 28.

“The era for election violence is long gone and candidates must exercise caution during the campaigns. The government will not tolerate cases of violence,” Muriuki said.

Sevral people have declared their interests in the seat left vacant after the High Court in Kisii nullified the election of the former MP Walter Nyambati.