This archive report was first published on 15 October 2019.
Published on October 15, 2019, the IEBC has taken measures to ensure a peaceful by-election in Malindi Constituency.
At a stakeholders' meeting, the IEBC, along with security agents and candidates, resolved to ban political parties' agents from campaigning in the area.
The move comes after complaints that these agents intended to influence the poll outcome by pitching tents in the ward.
Official campaigns ended on Monday at 6 PM, and all candidates and their supporters are not supposed to conduct any further campaigns.
The by-election, set for Thursday, will see Reuben Katana of ODM, Abdulrahman Omar (an independent candidate), Joseph Kiponda of Jubilee party, and David Mitsanze of Kadu Asili face off for the seat that fell vacant after the court nullified the election of Abdulrahman Omar in the 2017 general elections.
IEBC Commissioner Buya Maro announced that preparations for the by-election are ready, and they expect a peaceful process.
The ward will be divided into three sections, manned by security officers, to prevent any form of violence.
Commissioner Maro assured the people of Ganda that security officials are fully prepared to provide support and address the issues raised by the candidates.
These issues include allegations of the presence of VIPs, particularly from the ODM party, and security personnel from Nairobi and Mombasa.
Commissioner Maro emphasized that all candidates must provide two chief agents by today for all polling stations and that voting will take place from 6 am to 6 pm.
He also warned that any VIPs found roaming in polling stations will face action, and the candidates they are allied to will be held accountable.
