IEBC Accuses Police Of Arbitrarily Arresting 3 Officials Responsible For Deployment Of Election Technology

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 21- The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) says police have arrested three officials responsible for the deployment and management of election technology.

The 3 are held at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after arriving from Venezuela.

IEBC in a statement said the arrested officials are employees of Smartmatic International BV, the firm contracted to, “supply, delivery, installation, testing, commissioning, support and maintenance of the Kenya Integrated Election Management System.”

The IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati says the three were arbitrarily arrested, despite an explanation that they were legally in the country.

“The Commission is concerned about this unjustified intimidation, harassment, and blackmail whatsoever and demands the immediate release of the three employees of Smartmatic International BV,” he said.

There was no immediate word from the police headquarters on the same.

Chebukati has warned that their continued arrest could hamper technology deployment in the forthcoming General election.

“Technology plays a central role in elections and the Commission wonders what the intention behind holding the technical personnel is meant to achieve,” he said.