The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has spoken out on alleged voter bribery in Malava ahead of the November 27 by-elections.
Speaking on Tuesday, November 25, IEBC Chair Erastus Edung Ethekon explained that the commission is aware of the videos circulating online but cannot independently authenticate them without a formal complaint and proper investigation.
He explained that there is a procedure for handling allegations of electoral malpractice and that any concerned candidate is required to lodge a complaint through the established channels before action can be taken.
"We have seen those videos circulating, and we cannot verify exactly what those videos are. There is a procedure normally for us to address such issues, and the concerned candidates can report to the Commission through the proper channels," he said.
Ethekon added that the returning officer is available to initiate investigations should an official report be submitted, adding that no complaint had been filed at the time of his statement.
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"We have our returning officer on the ground; they can report these matters for investigation so that we verify and confirm. As of now, we have not yet received any formal complaint, and once we do that, then the matter will be investigated and dealt with," he added.
Ethekon appealed to all political parties and candidates involved in the by-election to adhere strictly to constitutional and legal requirements governing electoral conduct.
"I really need to call upon all the political parties and all the participating candidates to remind them of what the Constitution says; Article 81 says that our elections must be free from violence, harassment, intimidation and bribery, and therefore they shouldn't engage in such kind of acts that are prohibited by the Constitution, but also the Elections Act and the Election Offences Act. So if those allegations are indeed true after the investigations, action will be taken," he further said.
Elsewhere, IEBC confirmed that heightened security measures will be in place across constituencies and wards set to hold by-elections on Thursday, November 27.
Speaking to the media, IEBC Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana noted growing tempers in some of areas, prompting the deployment of both uniformed and plain-clothes officers to ensure order during and after voting.
He explained that the competitive nature of the mini-polls has already led to disagreements, adding that the commission’s security plan covers critical hotspots.
"There are competitions going on, so of course there will be misunderstandings and tempers will rise; they have already risen. You will hear several things, but in terms of security, the arrangements we have put in place across all these 22 areas ensure that there is high-level security.
"There will be officers in uniform and additional ones who will not be in uniform, and we are confident that everything will be safe," he said.
