Ol Kalou by-election: IEBC warns against unaccredited 'super agents' posing as politicians' security

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has warned that it will not allow unaccredited individuals, including politicians accompanied by their security details and supporters, to interfere with Thursday's Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.

Addressing the press on Tuesday, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the Commission had observed the emergence of so-called "super agents" during recent by-elections, warning that the practice would not be tolerated in Ol Kalou.

Ethekon said only duly accredited agents would be allowed access to polling stations and the constituency tallying centre.

"In previous by-elections, we observed individuals behaving like 'super agents' by attempting to interfere with the peaceful conduct of elections. We want to state categorically that we will not allow that to happen in Ol Kalou,” he stated.

"Each participating political party or candidate is entitled to appoint only one agent at each polling station and one chief agent at the constituency tallying centre. Those agents must be officially accredited by the Commission."

The IEBC chair also cautioned senior politicians against visiting polling stations unless they have been cleared by the electoral commission.

He reiterated that anyone claiming to be an agent must possess an IEBC accreditation badge.

"We will not allow anybody, including senior politicians or leaders, who has not been cleared and accredited by the IEBC, to come with their security or supporters to disrupt polling stations or their surroundings,” said Ethekon.

"Anyone claiming to be an agent must possess an IEBC accreditation badge. We will not allow individuals without accreditation to roam around polling stations. Our officials and security officers will take the necessary action.”

Ethekon further warned that no person would be allowed into polling stations wearing political party regalia or engaging in campaign activities, saying polling stations must remain neutral voting environments.

He said the Commission had enlisted the National Police Service to help enforce the rules.

"We have asked the National Police Service to help us deal with the phenomenon of 'super agents'. Should anyone attempt to interfere with the election process, the Commission will take decisive action,” he stated.

The IEBC also urged voters to leave polling stations immediately after casting their ballots to minimise congestion and help maintain order.

On voter identification, Ethekon reminded registered voters that they must carry a valid national identity card or passport.

"I want to remind the people of Ol Kalou that all registered voters must turn up with a valid national ID card or a valid passport. These are the primary documents that will be used to identify every eligible voter in our digital register."

The IEBC boss at the same time dismissed claims that the Ol Kalou voters' register had been altered and that the voters had should not come with their IDs.

"Anybody claiming that the register has been manipulated is spreading false, misleading and unsupported rumours. We urge citizens to ignore such claims, whether they come from politicians, activists or any other persons. As IEBC, we take the integrity of the register seriously and will ensure that only the authentic register is used during the election,” he explained.

"We have seen reports that certain politicians are urging citizens of Ol Kalou not to show up with their ID cards or passports. That is completely misleading, and the Commission is dealing with the matter decisively."

On Thursday, polling stations will open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m., although voters already in the queue by the closing time will be allowed to cast their ballots.

To safeguard the integrity of the vote, Ethekon said presiding officers, supported by police officers deployed to every polling station, would enforce order throughout the election process and take lawful action against anyone who attempts to disrupt voting.