malava By-Election Results Contested as DAP-K Candidate Alleges manipulation
Nairobi – Seth Panyako,the Democratic Action Party of kenya (DAP-K) candidate in the Malava parliamentary by-election,has vehemently rejected the official results.He alleges widespread manipulation of the final tally, claiming a clear victory was stolen from him.
The Self-reliant Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) recently declared David Ndakwa of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) the winner. Panyako’s swift response signals a deep dispute over the integrity of the process.
Panyako asserts the announced results do not accurately represent the will of malava voters. He accuses unnamed individuals of orchestrating a coordinated effort to alter the numbers during the tallying process.
Specifically, Panyako claims his campaign prevailed in a significant majority of polling stations. “We won in 134 out of 198 polling stations, but still they managed to manipulate and subvert the will of the people. They used 54 polling stations to steal the elections,” he stated.
Beyond numerical discrepancies, Panyako alleges a pattern of intimidation and interference. His accusations include:
* Targeted attacks: Members of his campaign team were reportedly subjected to attacks.
* Agent harassment: Panyako claims his agents were harassed, forcibly removed from tallying centers, and prevented from observing the vote count.
* Personal threats: He alleges attempts were made on his life during the election period.
Despite these alleged threats, Panyako expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of his constituents. “Despite violence against us, and attempts on my life, you stood firm. Our heads are still up,” he said.
Panyako maintains his political future remains secure, despite the contested outcome. “I have not lost this election and therefore it cannot determine my political future,” he declared,hinting at potential further action to challenge the results.
As of now, the IEBC, security agencies, and the winning UDA camp have not publicly responded to Panyako’s serious allegations. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are anticipated as the candidate considers his next steps.
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