The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) gave a warning against the voters violating secrecy observed during voting after pictures of marked ballot papers went viral on Twitter.
IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati admonished the perpetrators that the offence was punishable by law and hence quite grave.
“Voters are warned that violating the secrecy of the ballot through sharing of photos of marked ballot papers is punishable by law,” said Wafula.
Election Offences Act, No 37 of 2016, states: “a person attending any proceedings relating to an election and who, without lawful excuse captures an image of any marked ballot for purposes of financial gain or for showing allegiance, commits an offence.”
IEBC further emphasized that a person who contravenes these provisions on secrecy commits an offence and is liable on conviction, to a fine not exceeding one million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both.
This was after some of the voters took pictures of papers as they underwent the process and posted them on online social media platforms.
According to the Elections Offences Act, each and every officer or agent is mandated to maintain and aid in observing the secrecy of the ballot.
Secrecy must be upheld in the processes of election as they are the building block of a free and fair election as the process proceeds.
