The independent electoral and boundaries commission has issued a statement warning Kenyans against sharing of marked ballot papers.
A call that was made on social media through the IEBC Twitter account to warn Kenyans to maintain the secrecy of the 2022 general elections.
“Voters are warned that violating the secrecy of the ballot through sharing of photos of marked ballot papers is punishable by law.” The commission stated.
This is one of the listed offenses stipulated by the electoral commission on election day. Other offenses included wearing a political attire that could be taken as a luring material.
The commission also listed faking a disability during elections day in order to gain preferential treatment will be punishable by the law. This includes; physically, visually or even mentally impaired will attract a fine from a court of law.
Voters are also warned against making any funny mark on the ballot or go as far as far destroying voting materials , such will also face the law as per the constitution.
The commission also stated that taking a picture with a marked ballot paper for personal gains will be heavily punished.
The statement read, “A person attending any proceedings relating to an election and who, without lawful excuse captures an image of any marked ballot for purposes of financial gain or for showing allegiance, commits an offence and is liable on conviction, to a fine not exceeding Ksh1 million or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both.”
Voters also were advised not to disclose their preferred candidates; this is against the law.
The commission further advised to adhere to the mandatory holiday on the official election day to allow for everyone to exercise their democratic right.
Any employer who goes against this will attract a jail term of 6 years or a fine of one million shillings or both.