The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has revealed that the police officers confiscated key electronic materials from the three Venezuelan foreigners arrested on Thursday night after landing at the JKIA.
Through a statement released on Friday evening, the IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati revealed that despite releasing the three, the National Police Service is in the possession of key items to be used by the commission in the forthcoming elections slated for August 9.
Among the items confiscated from the foreigners include mobile phones, laptops, and flash disks. Chebukati went ahead to reveal that the three foreigners were compelled to give passwords to the confiscated phones and gadgets resulting in violations of rights of privacy.
According to the commission, the confiscated electronic items have sensitive information relating to the August polls as well as information on projects undertaken by the three ICT gurus for elections in other countries.
"The National Police Service has most importantly, confiscated all electronic items including mobile phones, laptops, and flash disks in the custody of the said personnel which electronic items contain important and sensitive information relating to the forthcoming elections as well as projects undertaken by them for other countries.
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Contrary to police reports that the IEBC stickers in the possession of the foreigners had been released to the commission, IEBC said the same stickers had been confiscated and are in police possession.
The commission said this has hindered their work and that they are not in any position to prepare for transparent polls.
"The National Police Service informed the public that the stickers had been released to the Commission yet the said stickers have in fact been confiscated and retained by the OCS Anti-Terrorism Police Unit, with the implication that the Commission is now not able to seamlessly prepare for the elections," added part of the statement.
While calling for the cessation of harassment of its officers and personnel from legitimately contracted service providers, Chebukati said his commission is now saddened and troubled by the acts of NPS.
Despite this, the IEBC Chairman promised that his commission is still committed to delivering credible elections in August.
IEBC has revealed that the three Venezuelans are key personnel responsible for the deployment and management of election technology infrastructure
