Scenes during the 2007 Post Election Violence. [Photo/ riotsandthekenyancrisis.worldpress.com]
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Busia chapter will not tolerate acts of incitement and violence ahead of the August 8 election, the county’s elections manager Fredrick Apopa has warned.
Speaking when he met nominees from various political parties at Matayos Constituency IEBC offices, Apopa promised the aspirants IEBC will conduct free, fair and transparent elections, telling contestants with campaign and election issues to follow the due process of the law while solving them.“We have clear laws and the Elections Act that explains how candidates should conduct themselves,” Apopa said in the meeting also attended by Busia Deputy Governor Kizito Wangalwa.He said based on the existence of clear laws and Acts that stipulate the aspirant’ code of conduct, candidates seeking various elective seats should abide by the regulations. He said the electoral body won’t hesitate to take tough disciplinary measures against aspirants contravening the law.Wangalwa on his part defended NASA presidential flag bearer Raila Odinga with regard to his rejection to support independents candidates over those in NASA.“You know when a father says something a child should not argue, but rather follow what he says. The party leader has already given the direction,” he said.Raila and ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi recently urged NASA supporters to reject candidates who left opposition-affiliate parties after being defeated during party nominations to vie for elective seats as independents.Senatorial candidate Okiya Omtatah (Ford Kenya) expressed satisfaction with IEBC’s act of educating and clearing election issues on time.Women Representative aspirant Susan Mangeni (ANC) said female candidates needed protection during campaigns.