IEBC Allows Media and Political Parties to Run Parallel Tallying Centers

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) says political parties, the media, and individuals are free to set up parallel tallying centres during the August 9th general elections.

IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati said no one will be prevented from tallying their own results as long as they do not announce the results or declare the winners. He maintained that only the electoral commission has the power to announce final results for all elective seats.

"All media houses, political parties, and presidential candidates are free to set up their parallel tallying centers. They will be comparing their results with those from the national tallying center but the final announcement and declaration will come from the IEBC," Chebukati said during a meeting with editors on Saturday.

The commission also said the media will be allowed to report results that have been announced by the Presiding Officer at the polling station and those announced by Constituency Returning Officer. Chebukati called on the press to maintain polls integrity and avoid the distribution of unverified results.

“Candidates, their agents and political parties are required to respect the role the media plays during and after elections. Candidates and political parties are required not to prevent the media from accessing rallies, meetings, demonstrations.” 

"Media is expected to ensure they maintain the secrecy of the vote during the prescribed hours of polling by avoiding publishing or distributing any results, which they may have obtained from the unauthorized source until the results are officially announced by IEBC," he added.