In Summary
- Those liable will face six years in jail or a fine not exceeding Sh1 million or both.
- Voters will be allowed to vote for 11 hours on March 4 although those who will be at a poll centre by 5pm will not be turned away
Kenyans face stiff penalties if they accept bribes to vote for particular candidates during the March 4 elections.
The Elections Handbook for Security Personnel released by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Wednesday says it will be an electoral offence for voters to accept money or food to support a particular candidate.
It will also be an offence for a voter to accept or take food, drink, refreshments, money, ticket or adopt a means of receiving them “knowing it was intended to influence him to vote or refrain from voting for XY candidate/political party.”
The offence, according to the handbook released during a meeting at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, is contrary to Section 62 (2) as read with Section 106 of the Elections Act.
Inspector General David Kimaiyo said police would ensure electoral cases are concluded within three days.
Those liable will face six years in jail or a fine not exceeding Sh1 million or both.
The IEBC handbook also provides for the appointment of special police officers on election day to provide security.
Officers from the National Youth Service, Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Forest Service will take up the role.
Section 72 of the Police Service Act states: “The commission may, in consultation with the Inspector General, at any time, if it appears expedient in the interests of public order and safety to do so, appoint persons to be special police officers for such period as may be considered necessary.”
Readers should confine themselves to our Blog Rules. We reserve the right to disallow any person found spreading hate.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment