An Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) official has raised concern over the high number of Coast residents seeking to transfer their voting centers.
Speaking during a mass voter education drive at the Majengo chief’s camp in Mvita Constituency, IEBC regional coordinator Albert Gogo, said the number of voters seeking transfers is almost equal to those who registered during the first phase of mass voter listing.
During the first phase of registration, which occurred between February and March last year, the commission registered 1.4 million voters.
The commission recorded 700,000 requests to transfer voting centers during that period.
“The number is high compared to what we expected. The trend does not look normal,” said Gogo, as quoted by the daily.
He, however, said the transfers are not necessarily because of the influence from politicians eyeing different seats in the area.
This comes amidst claims of politicians transporting voters from one area to another.
Speaking at the same event, Haki Africa officials Hussein Khalid and Francis Auma said they will not tolerate leaders who engage in elections malpractices.
They also urged residents to register in the constituencies in which they live.
“There are reports of transportation of voters from one area to another by politicians. This is illegal. We are monitoring politicians. If we gather enough evidence, we will pursue the case like we did with Mwakwere,” said the duo.