§ 3.9 p.m.
§ LORD HASTINGSMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what special security measures, if any, are being taken in connection with the general election in Kenya Colony, and in particular—
- (i) to prevent violence or intimidation during the election campaign,
- (ii) to prevent violence or intimidation on the actual day of voting,
- (iii) to ensure the absolute secrecy and privacy of the ballot at all polling booths.]
§ THE EARL OF PERTHMy Lords, whilst it would be inappropriate to publicise details of special security measures, I can assure the noble Lord that the Kenya Government have made detailed plans to maintain law and order before, during and after the Elections, and that these include measures with the principal object of preventing intimidation and violence on the actual days of voting. The law regulating the secrecy of the ballot closely follows that of the United Kingdom, with a modification improving the standard of secrecy for illiterates. This ensures the maximum standard of secrecy at polling booths.
§ LORD HASTINGSMy Lords, I thank the noble Earl again for his reply. May I ask him whether the leaders of the African political Parties are co-operating with the Government in respect to the maintenance of law and order, and whether they are also satisfied as to the arrangements being made?
§ THE EARL OF PERTHYes, my Lords. The African leaders of the political Parties, during the last weeks or months, have been helping very much in a campaign of advocating that, in the whole of this Election, it is essential that things should be run in a regular and peaceful way.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, can the noble Earl say whether it is contemplated that troops should be used in proximity to the towns on polling day; and, if so, can the noble Earl give an assurance that, so far as possible, the troops will be kept away from the polling booth areas?
§ THE EARL OF PERTHAs I said in my original reply, it is not possible (or appropriate, if I may put it in that way) to give details of the particular measures which the Governor or the Government of Kenya have taken or have in mind for the Election, but I can assure the noble Lord that the Governor is entirely satisfied that the arrangements he has in mind with the police, and so forth, should be fully adequate for the purpose.