Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s staff and other officials are increasingly working under intense pressure, as the clock ticks towards the August 8 elections.
IEBC Chief Executive Officer Ezra Chiloba in a recent interview pointed out threats and other intimidations from politicians.
“Intimidating and threatening any of our staff is against the electoral code of conduct and the commission will take action against those culpable. Politicians should allow our officers to do their work according to the law,” Mr Chiloba said on the sidelines of a press conference the commission had on Thursday.
In an interview with a local daily, the staff revealed how the preparations have not only disrupted their personal lives.
He singled out Isiolo County where some unnamed politicians have been reaching out to the field officers with financial inducements so that they can make “favourable decisions”.
However, the commission, working together with the security agencies has beefed up security, with deployment of more officers in areas thought to be prone to terrorism and banditry activities.
“It is hectic. The chairman is an early riser and works late. There have been full commission meetings even over the weekends. Election is about massive mobilisation. They say it is the only thing that moves people and resources outside war,” said IEBC manager for communication and public affairs Andrew Limo.
“For example, you cannot think of printing of the ballot papers alone. You must factor in the secure distribution to the 40,883 polling stations countrywide. Those polling stations must be known by name and by GPS coordinates. Our Boundaries Department is concluding the mapping of the stations. We have just collected 100 per cent coordinates for polling centres in Elemi and Mandera and we are at 80 per cent in Tiaty,” he adds.
The country has 22 days to go to the elections, and the commission is running against time to ensure it delivers a free and fair election.