Candidates warned: No corrupt practices

CANDIDATES contesting next year’s national election must not be involved in corrupt practices before, during and after the elections, according to the Registry of Political Parties.
In a booklet it has just released for candidates, the registry said it was a criminal offence to provide food, drinks and accommodation (to people) to influence the outcome of an election. Undue influence or other forms of bribery are also criminal offences.
“An intending candidate is not to be involved in corrupt practices before, during and after elections, such as paying for the expenses of voters, drinks and accommodation for persons to do certain acts, or not to do certain acts, or omitting to do any acts that will influence the outcome of an election and its results,” the booklet said.
“A candidate should not duly influence voters to win an election by means of using threats or use force to cause injuries, or any harm to the voters.
“In doing so, such conduct amounts to inducement or seen as fraud.
“Any intending candidate in an election must not be involved in activities that are seen to amount to bribery through the giving, procurement, promise, conferring of goods, properties, material benefits or other such benefits of any kind to voters to secure a win in an election.”
The offences attracted a K400 fine or imprisonment for a term of not more than one year.