The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has taken decisive action to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process by deploying covert and investigative operatives nationwide.

These operatives will monitor and combat election malpractices before, during, and after the December 2024 elections.

In its Half-Yearly Report released on Thursday, 11 July 2024, the OSP cautioned individuals involved in vote counting at polling stations, collation centres, and during the transmission of election results to maintain integrity.

The report underscored that falsifying vote counts or making false returns is a severe offence.

The OSP, empowered by anti-corruption mandates, is determined to safeguard the sanctity of the elections through the prevention, control, and repression of corruption, fraud, and unfair practices.

This authority is derived from Section 79 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959) and Sections 256 and 258 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

"No person is permitted to influence the outcome of the elections through corrupt means," the report asserted, emphasising that intimidation and impersonation are illegal.

It further warned against influencing voter behavior through threats or impersonating voters or electoral officers.

The public was reminded that those found guilty of such acts would face a seven-year voting ban and be barred from holding public office or being eligible for election as the President or a Member of Parliament.