Reasons why your ballot paper may be rejected during IEBC tallying

The clock is ticking, and only 12 hours are left before Kenyans head to polling stations to elect their next legislators, largely, the 5^th President of the Republic of Kenya.

On Sunday, IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati performed a simulation exercise to show voters how they will cast their votes on Tuesday, August 9.

At the polling station, a voter will be identified biometrically using the KIEMS kit, and where one’s finger prints do not reflect their identity, their photo will be taken using the kit for facial recognition on the IEBC system. A manual voter register will also be used to identify voters.

Thereafter, they will be given 6 ballot papers to elect a President, Governor, Senator, Member of Parliament, Woman Representative and Member of County Assembly.

However, the commission has notified voters that not all the votes cast on the ballot will be considered valid.

Some votes will be rejected during the tallying process, others will be declared stray or disputed.

According to IEBC, a ballot paper will be rejected if;

1. The voter marked more than one candidate

2. It has not been marked in favour of any candidate

3. It bears a serial number that doesn’t fall within those issued in that polling station

4. The ballot paper does not bear the security features as given by IEBC

After a ballot paper is rejected during the tallying process, IEBC will put a stamp on it to show so.

To curb incidences of a voter casting their votes twice, IEBC will mark indelible ink on their small finger to show they have already casted their votes.

Additionally, voters who are also meant to assist People Living With Disabilities will cast their votes and mark their ballots as a pair.

Thereafter, their fingers will be marked, with the guide having two marks to show they not only voted but assisted someone else to vote.