forwarded by Oyuga

Ballot paper mix up as elections begin.

Written By:Beverly Gatimu , Posted: Thu, Dec 27, 2007

As the voting exercise began in most polling stations countrywide, various incidences of ballot paper mix-up were reported.

Eldoret North Constituency parliamentary ballot papers were Thursday morning found at Ndabibi polling station in Naivasha.

Naivasha Constituency Returning Officer, Christopher Anjele said he had contacted the ECK headquarters to find out where the ballot papers for Ndabibi Center were.

He said the ECK was making urgent arrangements to have the Eldoret North ballot papers returned to the right polling station.

The two leading parliamentary contenders in the constituency, Jayne Kihara and John Mututho expressed shock at the delay and confusion.

Meanwhile, confusion reigned at Isinya polling station in Kajiado North constituency following a ballot paper mix-up.

Ballot papers for the area were mixed up with those for Changamwe constituency.

It is alleged the center's returning officer went underground following the mix-up.

Elsewhere, Parliamentary and civic ballot papers for Kipipiri constituency were found in Ganze constituency of Kilifi early an anomaly, which compelled voters to be directed to alternative polling centres.

Ganze constituency deputy returning officer Everline Mutta confirmed the incident saying they were addressing the problem.

She said voters who turned up at Sosodemu nursery-polling centre could not vote for parliamentary and civic candidates after the presiding officer discovered the anomaly.

However, ballot papers for presidential candidates were cast.

In Nyando, there was also a mix up at Ogeche polling center, where parliamentary ballot papers meant for Butere constituency were found in Nyando and those for Nyando found in Butere.