Kenya poll conduct gets thumbs up

NAIROBI. — Observers drawn from the African continent have described the 2017 Kenya election process as a free and fair poll, a statement which they say is highly attributed to the well preparedness of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

African Union Election Observer Mission, Commonwealth Election Observer Mission and the East African Community Election Observer Missions yesterday during a press conference said that the electoral body has sailed through delivering a peaceful and a successfully credible election.

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki, who is heading the AU observer mission, said the voting process was peaceful and the ongoing tallying process is open and transparent.

“The AU Election Observer mission is pleased to say that the elections were peaceful and similarly the process of counting the votes at the polling stations was done in a transparent manner with the participation of the agents of the political parties and the forms reflecting the information were then agreed by the IEBC presiding officers and the party agents,” said Mbeki.

The Commonwealth mission through its chair, former President of Ghana John Mahama also applauded IEBC for handling the polls professionally.

“The management of the process by the IEBC is to be commended. Polling staff were professional in conducting the voting process. We noted these efforts were directed at ensuring sufficient transparency in the presence of party agents that were at many of the polling stations,” said Mahama.

Edward Rugumayo, Chairperson of the East African Community Observer mission also registered his satisfaction in the manner in which the IEBC conducted the polls.

“The mission would like to congratulate the people of Kenya for conducting a peaceful process thus far. We commend the IEBC for ensuring that overall law and order prevailed throughout the electoral process observed,” said Rugumayo.

Even as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission was receiving all the glory, the heads of the missions urged the people of Kenya to exercise patience as they wait for the announcement of the final presidential results already challenged by Raila Odinga after trailing behind President Uhuru Kenyatta in a provisional tally. — Capital News.