The recount saw an increase in the number of votes cast for both Wetangula and petitioner former Local Government Minister Musikari Kombo. Wetangula led by 11,601 votes against Kombo’s 10,498 after the recount, whose results were released yesterday. Before the recount, Kombo trailed with 9,248 votes while Wetangula had 9,836. All the six candidates who vied for the seat including Lawrence Sifuna, Mukhisa Kituyi,, Nixon Kukubo and Reuben Cheprot got a positive increment in their total votes. Some 3,403 extra votes were recorded in total for all six candidates. However, the recount report showed massive irregularities, including missing Forms 35s in eight polling stations namely Namboko RC, Milele FYM, Lungai Primary, Mitoto Cattle Dip, Luuya DEB Primary, Chwele Youth Polytechnic, Kiboochi Primary and Khamoto FYM Primary, among others where the exercise was conducted. In Nalondo polling station, the recount established that five names were hand written, something that contravenes electoral laws. The recount also revealed 912 votes that could not be accounted for in 58 streams. Analysis of the scrutiny and vote recount exercise also disclosed 77 names from 21 polling stations on the principal register that appeared twice and had been crossed. The report exposed 14 polling stations with more than one marked principal register. The stations were, among others, Mfupi Mixed, Lusokho, Mukomari Primary and Miyuke SA Primary. Missing Ballot Papers Additionally, it could not be established in the report how many ballot boxes were issued to Lungai Primary, Kibisi FYM Primary, Karima RC Primary, Chebukaka Boys and Sinoko Youth Polytechnic polling stations due to missing ballot paper counters. A report of lists availed to court on double registration revealed that some 40 people said to have voted more than once in the March 4 elections claimed they didn’t cast their votes. Out of the 40 summoned, only 18 appeared before Deputy Registrar Atiang Mitullah. Among those who appeared for scrutiny, many said they only voted once. Discrepancies included voters who were allowed to cast their votes yet their names were crossed off the marked register, and recorded in the exception list, meaning they should not have been allowed to vote. Kombo filed the petition at Bungoma High Court seeking to revoke the election of Senator Wetangula.According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Wetangula won the seat with 158,468 votes against Kombo’s 125,853 votes.
Posted on: Tue, 13 Aug 2013 15:37:56 +0000
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