Former Public Service Minister Justin Muturi has backed calls for an amendment to the election regulations to allow presidential candidates instant access to constituency results.
Muturi said this change would help prevent any forms of malpractices during the transmission of results from the polling station to the national tallying centre.
“Let every presidential candidate receive a copy, immediately, from every constituency returning officer,” he said during an interview.
According to the Democratic Party leader, instant access ensures that candidates can verify the integrity of their votes early and promptly challenge any discrepancies.
“This helps you to know your result upfront and what your competitor has gained. You can then begin to question your agent if the result is correct because they will be there and they will have even signed those results,” he stated.
“What comes to Nairobi is only to confirm if a candidate has reached the 50 plus one threshold and secured 25 per cent of votes in at least 24 counties,” he explained.
Under section 39(1) of the Elections Act, results are to be declared and published immediately after polling closes.
Section 39(1)(A)(c) mandates constituency returning officers to submit collated presidential results to the national tallying centre.
Muturi, at the same time, criticised some elected leaders over the rigging utterances, terming it reckless.
Such leaders should face the consequences as prescribed under the Leadership and Integrity Act.
“I expected other investigating agencies to summon those leaders because to stand publicly and say we are going to steal,” he said.
He argued that such comments bring dishonour to the offices they hold.
When asked about concerns or rigging, Muturi could not confirm, only stating, “I have never been at the technical level.”
He stressed that the results from the polling station should be final and transparent.
