Rules, penalties needed for conduct of party candidates

While Presidential Advisor Odinga Lumumba is still to be charged over a polling day incident during which a presiding officer was injured, elections watchdog the Electoral Assistance Bureau (EAB) is calling for rules for parties’ operatives to be clearly outlined and enforced.

“Acts of violence, personal character attacks, name calling, vulgarity, slander, and invocation of race as a criterion for choosing leaders all surfaced in the 2011 elections campaign… There is need for greater clarity and a precise set of rules governing the conduct of party candidates and supporters on election day, with clear penalties,