Police seize marked ballot papers in Narok ahead of ODM primaries

Irregularities and rigging claims marred ODM nominations in Narok County Saturday.

The process started off at 9am, but was disrupted when police arrested seven people with ballot papers.

Transmara West acting deputy OCPD Stephen Kyenze said police arrested the suspects following a tip off.

"We received complaint from Joseph ole Siparo, who is aspiring for the Kilgoris MP seat that some fake agents were in possession of election materials,' Mr Kyenze said.

He said the materials, which had serial numbers, comprised of marked and unmarked ballot papers.

Mr Kyenze disputed claims that an aspirant was among the arrested suspects.

"We are investigating the matter together with the party officials to find out how they were acquired,' he said.

In some polling stations, voters were turned away from various centres after their names were found missing from the party register.

The residents turned out in big numbers to nominate contestants through secret ballots, for the women representative, Senate,  and members of the county assembly after several aspirants for governorship and National assembly were issued with direct tickets.

Among those turned away at Ilmashariani Primary School were Nanare Dapash, Lucy Noolalmala, Everline Yenko, Dosen Nkamasiai, Robin Kalai and 30 others people who missed their names in both ODM’s and the electoral body’s registers.

“We have been voting in the past elections, and we have never missed the IEBC register, we don’t understand what happened that our names are omitted,’ said Ms Noolamala who vowed to camp at the centre until she was allowed to vote.

ODM county elections board chairperson Joseph Ole Karia said only registered party members would participate in the primaries.

“The law is very clear that those who don’t appear in the register are not considered members of the party, so they are not going to vote,” said Mr Karia who was in the station to explain to the disgruntle lot. 

But many of the voters argued they should be allowed to use National Identity Card holders to vote following rising tension in several stations.