Scrutineers reduced to one per candidate in city

BY REBECCA KUKU
THE number of scrutineers to enter the counting venues in NCD has been decreased to one per candidate, says Metropolitan Superintendent Benjamin Turi.
Turi said the number of scrutineers were decreased from two to ensure that the counting was done without disturbance.
“All police station commanders have also been removed from the counting venues in the nation’s capital and have been directed to go back to their respective police stations,” Turi said.
“The police station commander’s duties are to be at their stations to control and command their stations and their men and not to be at the counting venues.
“Police have other duties apart from providing security for the general election.
“That is why the police station commanders must be at their respective police stations to ensure the safety of the general public.”
Turi said he was not happy with the lack of leadership shown by his officers at the counting venues.
“They have allowed scrutineers to just walk into counting venues and cause disturbances that has been causing a lot of delays in the counting process,” he said.
“Therefore, all the security forces on the ground at counting venues have been changed.” Turi said if any scrutineer created any disturbance or trouble, he or she would be asked to leave by the election manager.
“If the election manager asks the scrutineers to leave and if they don’t leave, then police will step in to escort them out. So I urge the scrutineers to please respect the process and the electoral commission and allow the process to run through peacefully,” he said.