A presiding officer in Kilifi county came under fire after delivering five ballot boxes at the Kilifi North tallying centre without seals contrary to election regulations.
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s (IEBC) presiding officers are required by law to seal all ballot boxes with tamper-proof clips after voting closes before submitting them for tallying.
A presiding officer from Bofa Primary polling centre delivered five ballot boxes at the Kilifi North tallying centre without seals at around 1:40 am on Wednesday, August 10.
The presidential ballot boxes, however, were all sealed. Members of the public raised credibility concerns after the unsealed ballot boxes were delivered.
The presiding officer attracted the ire of observers at the polling station when she attempted to seal the boxes at the tallying centre.
She claimed that she couldn’t seal the ballot boxes at Bofa Primary polling centre because of the heavy downpour experienced in the area.
The presiding officer further stressed that she didn’t tamper with the results, noting that all agents signed all forms and witnessed everything.
The matter created tension at the tallying centre prompting two governor candidates – ODM’s Gideon Mung’aro and Pamoja African Alliance Party George Kithi – to demand an explanation from IEBC officials.
