The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) contends that it’s all systems go for the Msambweni parliamentary by-election on Tuesday.
The constituency’s Returning Officer Yussuf Abubakar said the electoral body is ready to conduct a free, fair and credible mini-poll scheduled for tomorrow.
He said the IEBC have trained all the polling agents, polling clerks and observers and would be deployed in the 129 polling stations spread in the four assembly wards of Ramisi, Kinondo, Ukunda and Bongwe/Gombato ahead of the D-day.
The Msambweni parliamentary seat fell vacant after the death of area MP Suleiman Dori in March.
He said IEBC has cleared eight candidates in the parliamentary race to inherit the late Dori adding that the cosmopolitan constituency has 69,003 registered voters.
Candidates in the fray include Omar Boga (ODM) party, Feisal Bader (independent), Charles Bilali (Independent), Marere Wamwachai (National Vision Party), Hassan Mwakulonda (Party of Economic Democracy), Mahmoud Sheikh (Wiper Party), Khamis Mwakaonje (United Green Movement) and Mansury Kumaka (Independent).
Mr. Abubakar spoke to the press on Monday at the Dr. Babla Diani High School which is the main tallying centre.
He said election materials would be transported to all the polling stations today under tight security.
The election official said voting stations are all poised and ready to open at 6am tomorrow to welcome eligible voters.
“The polling stations will remain open until 5 pm when counting is scheduled to begin,” he said adding that voting will continue after 5 pm where voters are waiting in the queue.
Mr. Abubakar said enough security would be deployed to each polling station to ensure there were no disruptions to the by-election.
The constituency RO said the by-election will be held under strict Covid-19 guidelines to curb the spread of the virus.
He said special clerks have been designated to ensure voters wear facemasks and adhere to social distancing and washing of hands with soap before accessing voting centres.
“Wearing of facemask and adhering to social distancing protocols is a must,” he declared.
By Hussein Abdullahi
