The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has vowed to take action against individuals who disrupted voting during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, saying acts of violence and intimidation have no place in an election and will not be tolerated.
In a statement released after polling closed on Thursday, the commission said it had noted isolated cases of unrest in parts of the constituency but maintained that the overall exercise was conducted peacefully.
"The Commission firmly condemns all acts of violence, intimidation, or disruption reported in isolated areas during the voting process. Elections are a democratic exercise, and no individual or group has the right to compromise the peace, safety, or integrity of the process," IEBC said.
The electoral body said it was working with security agencies to identify those behind the incidents and ensure the affected areas remain calm.
"We are working closely with security agencies to ensure swift action against any perpetrators and to restore calm where disturbances have occurred," the commission said, while urging candidates, supporters and political actors to uphold peaceful participation and respect the rule of law.
The statement comes after violence briefly broke out outside Ol Kalou Comprehensive School polling station, interrupting voting before security officers restored order and the exercise resumed.
Even with the reported incidents, IEBC said the by-election was generally successful, thanking residents who turned up to vote and noting that only a few cases required intervention.
The commission said voter turnout had reached 50.78 per cent of registered voters by 3pm, compared to 38.2 per cent recorded two hours earlier.
With polling complete in most centres, IEBC said counting had started and would continue at each polling station before results are forwarded for tallying.
It added that stations that opened late because of unforeseen circumstances would be allowed extra time to ensure all eligible voters had an opportunity to cast their ballots.
The commission also assured candidates and voters that counting would be carried out openly in the presence of agents, election observers and members of the media.
It said agents would be allowed to take photographs of the official results forms, while copies of the forms would be displayed at polling stations once counting is complete to allow members of the public to view them.
According to IEBC, returning officers will receive and verify results from every polling station before announcing the final outcome of the by-election in the presence of candidates' agents and accredited stakeholders.
The commission also reminded political parties and candidates that tallying centres are restricted to accredited persons and urged leaders to avoid actions that could interfere with the tallying process or declaration of results.
IEBC further advised that any complaints arising from the by-election should be handled through the courts, adding that official results would also be published on its online results portal.