Vihiga County Independent and Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) returning officer Sarah Ogaro has cautioned politicians against buying IDs from voters in a bid to infringe their democratic rights.
This comes after word went round that some politicians were buying the documents of voters in their perceived rival’s stronghold to win the elections.
Ogaro said the electorate should be given the chance to select their preferred candidates based on their credentials and development track record. “Politicians should let the voters decide their fate by choosing leaders they want. The leaders should sell their agenda to voters to determine their success,” said Ogaro.
While speaking in her office at Vihiga County Headquarters, she said the commission is prepared to handle the coming elections and have recruited trained staff to help in the exercise. “We are prepared for the task ahead of us and we will ensure that the results are free, fair and credible,” said Ogaro.
She added that each polling station will have a presiding officer, deputy presiding officer and six clerks to ensure a smooth running of the exercise. “All the 544 polling stations in the area will be manned by our qualified staffs that are equal to the task,” said Ogaro.
She said that voter education is going on in the area in different places and it will be discontinued on the 5th of August 2017 to pave way for elections. Ogaro appealed to the residents to vote wisely and desist from campaign violence associated with selfish politicians.
“We want calm and peaceful elections devoid of any violence. Polling stations will be opened at 6 am and closed by 5 pm on the election Day,” said Ogaro.
She further said that the county has 85 polling stations in Vihiga, 127 in Sabatia, 147 in Hamisi, 98 in Luanda and 87 in Emuhaya sub counties.