The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is currently training its Polling staff on election processes in the Community Councils throughout the country. Civic and Voter Education Manager Mrs. Lydia Macheli told the Agency on Monday that as part of getting ready to hold successful Local Government elections which are due on September 29, the Commission is currently conducting training on election processes as a whole.

She said the Polling staff is trained on how to handle different situations they are likely to encounter as well as how to handle the election material at their disposal and how to cooperate with the media people who will be on duty, party agents and election observers. Mrs. Macheli said the Presiding Officers and Electoral District Officers were trained as trainers so that they could train the Polling Staff.

She elaborated that the documents required include an IEC Voter’s Card, a valid passport or National Identity Document even a valid driver’s licence could be used. The Civic and Voter Education Manager stated that the media people will specifically not be allowed to take pictures inside the booth as well as not being allowed to announce results of the Local Government elections before they have been officially announced by the IEC itself.

Furthermore, she said the election materials that include a ballot paper were still being sorted at the IEC’s Warehouse where they are under heavy security to ensure maximum protection. She said they will only start being distributed to their destinations this coming Saturday beginning with those going to-hard-to-reach places using helicopters while others will be transported by road in the presence of the political parties’ representatives and the security. Meanwhile, advanced voters will cast their votes on September 27 and that includes the media people, election observers, security agencies, IEC staff and those who will be on duty on Election Day.