[ODM leader Raila Odinga addressing thousands of his supporters in Kisiii. A section of local officials have warned IEBC against rigging. Photo/Nation]
Kisii ODM branch officials have warned the IEBC against a plot to rig elections by shifting tallying centres in the region.
Party branch chairman and County Assembly Speaker Kerosi Ondieki alleged the commission was planning to move tallying centres in the county, saying the party viewed it as a plan to rig the election in Jubilee’s favour.
“We will not accept any move to shift the tallying centres from their current locations because it smacks of a plan to manipulate election results,” said Mr Ondieki.
The Assembly Speaker said Nasa affiliate parties had begun a grassroots campaign to secure at least 85 percent of the vote in the Gusii region.
“We are determined to ensure that Mr Odinga’s tally increases from the 68 percent he garnered in the region in 2013 to 85 percent at the very least,” said Mr Kerosi.
He dispelled claims by Jubilee governosrship aspirant Senator Chris Obure that the region’s allegiance had shifted to the ruling party, saying Kisii still remained firmly in Nasa.
Mr Ondieki said the recent rousing reception accorded to Nasa presidential candidate Raila Odinga was an indicator of his growing popularity in the region.
“On Wednesday, we witnessed residents braving heavy rains just for a chance to be addressed by Raila Odinga. Jubilee should be made aware that we beat them in the last polls in this region and will actually widen the gap inAugust 8,” he said.
He warned Jubilee against engaging in what he called attempts to buy off voters in the region, saying they would not succeed.
“There is no doubt that Jubilee will try to buy off voters through handouts, but we are ready for them. Our people are firmly in Nasa and will not be swayed to vote for Uhuruto at any cost,” said Mr Ondieki.
Party Secretary General Mr Amos Andama raised an alarm with the alleged changes, saying Jubilee was uncomfortable with the current centres which were easily accessible to a large number of ODM supporters.
“It is strange that the commission would attempt to change the tallying centre locations at this late juncture. We know it is simply because Jubilee wants to make it difficult for our supporters to access the tallying centres,” said Mr Andama.
He likened the move to a soccer referee shifting goalposts during a match, saying it was unfair to the opposition.
“We have not yet been consulted on the move, which is like shifting goalposts during a match. It is unfair to us as teams in the competition and we cannot be party to such a decision that will leave us at a disadvantage,” said Mr Andama.
He said the party would use all means including legal and others, to ensure that the move was rescinded.
"We will fight these moves in court and outside of the law to ensure that our people's right to credible election results is safeguarded," said Mr Andama.
Senatorial aspirant Prof Sam Ongeri also warned the Jubilee government against what he termed skewed results, saying it would jeopardize peace and stability in the country.
He said the people were committed to a peaceful election, but would not tolerate any form of rigging.
“We will ensure that we campaign for peaceful electoral process, but we must warn IEBC that allowing rigging will not be in the best interests of peace and stability in the country,” said Prof Ongeri.
Former Nyaribari MP and ODM aspirant Dr Chris Bichage asked IEBC officials to ensure the vote tally was above reproach, saying voters’ right to elect leaders of their choice was non-negotiable.
“We will not allow any form of monkey business as far as the vote tally is concerned. Our voters’ right to elect leaders of their choice is strictly non-negotiable,” said Dr Bichage.
The party officials and aspirants were speaking at the ODM Secretariat offices in Kisii Town when they addressed the Nation.