UDA Denies Allegations Of False Ballot Papers

Anthony Mwaura, the chairperson of the UDA National Elections Board (NEB), said there were no counterfeit vote papers and that inquiries into the allegation were continuing at the Hustler Center in Nairobi.

He went on to say that the party had printed the ballot papers with unique features that could not be reproduced or mass-produced elsewhere, denying the idea of pre-marked ballot papers even further.

"Our ballot papers are peculiar, they have got watermarks, serial numbers, and are serialized and nobody can give any evidence that they can be found anywhere. They cannot even be photocopied," said Mwaura.

Mwaura acknowledged that the party had logistical issues that caused the primaries in some counties to be postponed, but added that the scarcity of ballots in Kisii County had been resolved.

UDA has acted quickly to replace ballot materials that had been burned in Bomet and Embu counties, according to the NEB chair.

However, he cautioned political hopefuls against inciting violence during the nomination process.

He went on to say that the NEB has identified the perpetrators of the incidents in the two counties and that aspirants should discourage their supporters from engaging in any aggressive behavior since it may lead to serious consequences.

"In Bomet where we had a peculiar incidence where materials for four polling stations were destroyed, we have been able to mop up and the voting is going on in the 582 centers," Mwaura stated.

The aspirants who have caused that commotion have been summoned. We have emphasized that we do not condone violence and it has its repercussions. In UDA, violence leads to automatic disqualification and expulsion from our part," informed Mwaura.