There was panic in Mvita Constituency Tallying Center Monday morning after two ballot boxes for Kilifi County were found at the Center.
According to the Mvita Constituency Returning Officer, Masha Sudi, there was a mix- up of the ballot boxes, but he assured aspirants and voters that the situation will be taken care of before close of business, today.
“We have already communicated to our Headquarters in Nairobi about the confusion and they are sorting out the issue. We want to assure voters that everything will happen as planned,” said Sudi.
He said other election materials are in check, adding that the confusion was due to the fact that the boxes were transported from abroad and most are unfamiliar with the local names, hence the mix up.
Sudi noted that the exercise will start at 6am and end at 6pm at the 203 polling stations, including an inmate station.
“Those who will come past 5pm will not be able to vote unless the time found you while you were in the queue. We are adequately prepared and ready. We will release presiding officers before 7pm,” added Sudi.
In Nyali Constituency, Returning Officer, John Ole Taiswa, said distribution of election materials to 195 polling stations, will be concluded by 6pm Monday.
Taiswa added that Presiding and Deputy Presiding Officers, clerks and security personnel will be stationed overnight in their respective stations ahead of Tuesday elections.
“We are finalizing a few issues before full deployment of election materials and officers to all polling stations,” he added.
While urging voters to turn-up in large numbers to exercise their democratic right. The Returning Officers expressed confidence that the process will be peaceful.
Nyali Sub-County Police Commander, Daniel Masaba, said elaborate security measures have been put in place for smooth elections.
Masaba added that each police station will be manned by two police officers with hundreds of others put on stand-by to deal with any situation.
“We have General Service Unit (GSU) personnel, who will also be standby along with others to provide backup,” he added.
Nyali is the Second Constituency with highest registered voters in Mombasa County, after the expansive Kisauni Constituency.
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the Constituency has 124,253 registered voters.
Nine candidates are eyeing to be elected the next area MP, with incumbent Mohamed Ali defending the seat on United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.
The Constituency has five ward areas that have attracted 76 candidates seeking to be elected as Members of County Assembly (MCAs).
Kadzandani ward has attracted 18 candidates, Ziwani la Ng’ombe 17 aspirants, Mkomani and Kongowea has each 14 candidates while Freetown has 13.
By Chari Suche and Galgalo Bocha
