Warning about electoral offences

By REBECCA KUKU
ANYONE caught destroying, defacing and/or forging a nomination paper will face up to two years imprisonment, Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai says.
With nominations set to begin today at 4pm, Sinai urged candidates, their supporters, voters, electoral officials and the public to adhere to the electoral laws and regulations and not to take part in illegal practices and commit electoral offences during the nomination period.
He said under the Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections, Section 191 (7) Fraudulently destroying or defacing a nomination paper, or Section 191 (11) Forging a nomination paper, would incur a penalty of imprisonment for two years.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission Office also made an Electoral Offences booklet and issued copies to political parties and intending candidates.
Sinai said it was vital that intending candidates, their supporters, voters, electoral officials and the public knew what these laws and regulations were, especially those actions that were prohibited and considered electoral offences.
“This Electoral Offences booklet compiles all the illegal acts and election related offences under the Organic Law on National and Local Level Government Elections, the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates and the Criminal Code Act (Chapter 262),” he said.
“This is vital to the integrity and credibility of elections that all electoral laws and regulations are followed by all the electoral participants.”

Students told to remain neutral during election

STUDENTS in the country have been told to remain neutral during the general election.
Education secretary Dr Uke Kombra said this when giving an update on teachers and school involvement in the election.
He said students could represent their tribesmen or women in the campaign but not to represent the schools they came from.
Kombra said students were not allowed to participate in political rallies, gatherings and campaigns and those involved would be punished.
“No political rallies, speeches, meetings, gatherings, sponsored activities and sports must be conducted in any of the national education system schools whether it is an elementary, primary, secondary or vocational centre,” he said.
Kombra said school assets such as grounds, tables, chairs, PA systems, vehicles and classrooms must not be hired for political activities.
“All heads of schools should not in any way publically show alliance or support any candidate or political party but as much as possible, remain neutral,” he said.
Kombra said those defying these directives would be penalised appropriately through relevant authorities.
Kombra said all eligible students who would be allowed to exercise their democratic right to vote but they must return to classes after voting.

Teachers can participate in general election, official says

TEACHERS can participate in the general election but return to class on the set date, Teaching Service Commission (TSC) chairman Samson Wangihomie says.
Wangihomie said teachers had democratic rights to exercise in the conduct of this election, especially to teach students on the democratic process of elections, how it was conducted, the voting, counting and the formation of the government.
“In doing so, they must not force any one to vote for a political party or candidate,” he said.
Wangihomie said teachers were allowed to participate in this year’s national election as election officials, scrutineers and this must be approved by the appropriate authorities.
He said after the completion of their engagement, they must return to classes on the set dates given by the department.
“If they don’t return on time, it might result in disciplinary action, including salary deduction,” he said.
Wangihomie said teachers would be on full pay and if the electoral commission wished to pay them after hours, it was okay by the TSC.
“Teachers and the families can take part in the voting of the candidates of their choices, but teachers must not influence students in the school who are eligible to vote.”

Respect traffic rules: Police

CANDIDATES and their supporters should follow traffic rules during the nomination period to avoid accidents, says a senior police officer.
Deputy Commissioner of Police for Operations Anton Billie said candidates and their supporters should not overload big trucks with people during the nomination period.
“Candidates nationwide should decently drive in three to four cars to go and nominate to avoid unnecessary traffic offences,” he said.
“Passengers overloading in big cars is a traffic offence.”
Billie said from his experience during past elections, there were many reports of road accidents so it was better to warn the public to take precautionary measures.
“Supporters of candidates and the public get excited during nomination and campaign period and road accidents have happened during the past elections, claiming lives,” he said.
Billie urged the public to stay in homes and communities and wait for candidates to show up in their communities to campaign.
“Do not move around in loads and in convoys, there is a high possibility of road accidents,” he said.
Billie said candidates must not conduct rally in public places that can cause inconvenience to the public by loading their supporters and driving around causing traffic jam.
“Campaign managers of candidates should have plans on how their campaigns should be carried out in communities and not on the road disturbing the public traffic,” he said.
Billie said traffic police and the Road Traffic Authority would be working together to monitor the traffic and ensure that candidates and their supporters follow traffic rules.
“Our life is precious and the public must follow the traffic rules to avoid accidents,” he said.