By James Omoro
ODM nominations for the by- election in Ndhiwa Constituency suffered a setback after violence erupted amid claims of rigging.
Some voters attacked a presiding officer at Ratang’a Primary School in Kobama Division for delaying the voting exercise.
The voters arrived at the polling station by 6am but waited until 1pm when the officer arrived carrying the ballot box. They snatched the box and tore the ballot papers.
Police officers intervened and saved the life of the officer who was hurriedly rushed into a police vehicle. That is the polling station where Mrs Mary Ojode, widow of the late Internal Security Assistant Minister Orwa Ojode, registered as a voter.
Many polling stations in Riana, Pala, Ndhiwa and Kobama Divisions were also affected.
Serious offence
Whether about 1,000 voters of Ratang’a would exercise their democratic right of voting is in the hands of the officials of ODM Elections Board.
Secretary to the Board Joseph Misoi said they would call a meeting and decide how voting can be carried out at Ratang’a.
Misoi expressed concern over the violence, saying the people had committed a serious offence.
“Destruction of election material is a violation of electoral code of ethics. Whoever participated in the vice must suffer the consequences. However, the board has to sit down and decide on what to do about Ratang’a voters,” Misoi said.
He said they had received reports of aspirants colluding to rig the polls and warned they would be disqualified.
