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Kenya: IEBC Reaffirms Commitment to Deliver Free, Fair and Credible Polls

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Nakuru — The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has allayed fears of rigging in the August elections.

Chairman, Wafula Chebukati said the Commission had addressed contentious issues, ranging from security during voting, dead voters and stuffing of ballot boxes among others.

He indicated that despite the challenges IEBC has faced, it had remained focused on critical aspects such as voter registration, candidate nominations, regulations, staff recruitment, technology and other materials.

“We are independent, and we make independent decisions. We have not solicited anyone to speak for us and no one is cajoling us in any way. Those are perceptions, insinuations and fake news. Chances of vote rigging in elections are nil. Every Kenyan’s vote cast will count,” he stated.

While speaking in Nakuru after signing a Memorandum of Understanding between IEBC, Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) and Kenya Editors Guild on behalf of Kenya Media Sector Group on accurate and objective coverage of elections the Chairperson assured Kenyans and the international community that the Commission was ready for polls and that its strategic plan for the year 2022-17 was the guide towards holding credible elections.

He guaranteed the country that his team will ensure a free and fair election. He noted that the current Commission has had long experience in conducting elections and that they would not fail Kenyans.

“I took an oath and promised Kenyans that I will give them a clean poll. I want to assure them that this is still my goal, and I will achieve it,” he stressed.

The Chairperson affirmed that the Commission will use the Kenya Integrated Elections Management System (KIEMS), to identify voters and thus dead voters will not be able to vote.

Present during the occasion were IEBC Vice Chairperson, Juliana Cherera and Acting Chief Executive Officer, Marjan Hussein Marjan.

Chebukati called on all stakeholders to work together to provide credible elections for Kenyans.

“The IEBC will work with other organizations like the National Police Service to provide security during the election period, Ministry of Finance for proper allocation of funds, Parliament, the Judiciary, among others to help achieve our goal of free and fair elections,” he said.

He assured both local and foreign journalists accredited by various news outlets that they will be allowed access to results at polling posts, constituencies and the national tallying centres.