MATUGA ERRORS

The Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) has dismissed allegations that over 13,000 voters in Matuga constituency have their names wrongly entered in voters register.

The commission however acknowledged 638 names from three polling stations were erroneously added to the registers.

Speaking at Press conference in Nairobi Monday, IIEC chairman Isaack Hassan assured Matuga voters that the errors will be sorted out before the July 12th by-election.

Hassan further said that the commission has developed a short messaging system for the Kenyans to verify their names.

Registered voters are required to send their identity card number to 3007.

This system will however be operational beginning Wednesday this week.

Reports appearing in a section of the media last week claimed that over 13,000 voters in Matuga constituency may not participate in the by-election as they names were wrongly registered.

On Saturday, a section of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders from Coast Province called on the IIEC to ensure that the forthcoming by election in Matuga constituency is free and fair.

East African Community (EAC) minister Amason Kingi said there were fears that the poll may be flawed since the constituency's voter register had several flaws.

Addressing a press conference on behalf of Coast ODM MPs in Mombasa, the minister noted that some names of voters in ODM strongholds such as Tiwi and Waa have been mispelt in the official voter register.

"This may be a ploy to rig the poll in favour of the former MP in areas we consider most friendly to us", he said, adding that if the problem is not addressed in good time, about 50 per cent of the eligible voters in the affected areas will be locked out of the poll.

He also claimed that voters were unhappy with IIEC officials deployed to at polling centres, and overall completion of the exercise in the area.

Mr Kingi said Mr. Hassan should urgently send his officers to investigate claims that some of the officials were relatives of a former transport minister and area MP Chirau Ali Mwakwere, who is also contesting for re-election.

"If such claims are true, then the poll will never be free and fair since the officials will be sympathetic to the opposing candidate and capable of doing anything to ensure he wins," he said.

The Matuga by election scheduled for July 12 will see Mwakwere (PNU), Hassan Mwanyoha (ODM), and Kassim Sawa Tandaza of (UDM) battle it out for the seat.