Gachagua faults Ethekon over poll cancellation threat, urges action against voter bribery by State officials

Jukwaa

📻 Breaking It Down

Addressing the media on Friday, the former Deputy President accused the electoral commission of attempting to lay the groundwork for postponing the July 16 poll, claiming the move was intended to shield the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) from what he described as an impending defeat.

Gachagua maintained that the constituency has remained largely peaceful throughout the campaign period and argued that there were no circumstances to justify delaying the election.

“Ol Kalou has been very peaceful. There has not been violence of any magnitude that could warrant the cancellation or postponement of the election,” he said.

📌 What You Need to Know

He claimed the few incidents reported during the campaigns were isolated and blamed state agencies and political actors allied to the government for any violence witnessed in the constituency.

The DCP leader faulted the IEBC for what he termed selective enforcement of electoral laws, accusing the commission of remaining silent during previous by-elections that were allegedly marred by violence and voter intimidation.

He cited the Baringo North, Malava, Narok Township and Kasipul-Kabondo by-elections, alleging that despite reports of violence and electoral irregularities, the commission took no action.

“Mr Chairman, your silence and tolerance of those electoral practices prove that you cannot be trusted to deliver free, fair, transparent and verifiable elections,” Gachagua said.

The former Deputy President further alleged that senior government officials had flooded Ol Kalou to campaign for the UDA candidate while engaging in voter bribery using public resources.

He accused Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and other senior state officials of violating constitutional provisions that bar public officers from participating in partisan political activities.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya

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