EACC has written to IEBC Questioning the Integrity of the following aspirants
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has written to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission questioning the integrity of 241 aspirants eyeing elective seats in the upcoming General Election, including three presidential candidates.
In a letter penned by EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak, the Anti-Corruption body claims that out of 54 presidential and deputy presidential aspirants, three have underlying integrity issues that need to be thoroughly probed by IEBC before they can be allowed to participate in the August election.
Six senatorial candidates, 19 Woman Representative aspirants, 58 aspiring MPs and 94 MCA aspirants have likewise been flagged by EACC for allegedly being involved in corruption.
Mbarak further points out that 61 governor aspirants and their deputies lack best practices and standards in matters of ethics and integrity and as such, they should not be allowed to contest in the upcoming polls.
“The requirements for a person to qualify as a candidate in an election for the different elective positions are set out in various laws, including the Constitution, Elections Act, Leadership and Integrity Act and the various subsidiary legislation and Codes of Conduct established under or pursuant to the said laws,” said Mbarak.
“In particular, persons seeking election to a State Office are required to observe and maintain moral and ethical requirements as set out in Section 13(1) of the Leadership and Integrity Act.”
On the prospects of impeached public officers contesting for elective seats while facing court cases, Mbarak noted that persons who have been removed or dismissed from office are disqualified from holding any other public office.
“In addition, the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003 and the Bribery Act, 2016 provide for disqualifications from being elected or appointed to public office in respect of persons convicted of offenses under the said laws,” he said.
While stating that EACC has forwarded a report on the 241 aspirants to IEBC, Mbarak noted that the Anti-Corruption body will continue investigations into the said aspirants and release any information on the same to the public.
