Of course politicians, being who they are, are going to try to steal this one too. They may not stuff the ballot boxes like has been alleged in the past, but that does not mean rigging is a dead art.

Some techniques are fairly easy to detect, such as voter bribery. Some are a lot more subtle and take masterly and skill to execute. Like systematically misinforming voters, especially those who support your most formidable opponent.

If you were an unscrupulous politician, what surefire tricks would you employ?

NB: This is a "set-a-thief-to-catch-a-thief" thought experiment so let's think about counter-measures as well.. or at least detection strategies.

Elections are rigged mostly at the tallying stage.

At the time of tallying, those involved are ussually tired. Having to wake up at 3Am on the election day by the time it gets to 7pm most officals are exhausted.This Elections will be even worse coz of the many ballot boxes to be tallied.

In strongholds of the major contenders, No one cares about the votes cast for the oponent especially in absence of Party Agents.
Meaning, the oponents votes are registered as the major contenders votes and vice versa.

The ECK or IEBC offical doesnt care coz no one will suspect foul play.

Eg. in Kisumu Rural, no one expects UK to get many votes anyway, and in Kangema,..no body expects RAO to get many votes.All votes casted for UK in Kisumu are counted as RAO's and all votes casted for RAO in kangema will be tallied for UK.

Easy,...with full co-operation with Returning Officer.

This applies mainly for presidential candidates.

That finger print reader...can it be tampered with to show more voters turned up in certain areas?

Shida inkuwanga when the additional voters have to be distributed the the 5 other candidates, actually competition among the lower candidates reduces rigging!!

Sasa nimekuogopa