Kenya’s opposition leader and leader of the National Super Alliance (Nasa) leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday said he was not ready to participate in the re-run of presidential election slated for October 17, the date set by the country’s electoral commission.
Mr Odinga has refused to accept the date claiming that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) did not consult him and other stakeholder as stipulated in law.
On Monday Kenya’s Electoral Commission announced October 17 for the fresh presidential election ordered by the country’s Supreme Court after nullifying the August 8 electoral victory of incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta.
In a statement, the commission said only two candidates will take part in the fresh elections;Nasa leader Raila Odinga and Jubilee’s Uhuru Kenyatta. Both men with their running mates are those that will participate in the elections.
The statement signed by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairman Wafula Chebukati also said there will be no fresh nominations.
“The commission is revising the operational and procedural requirements for the conduct of the fresh election and will share details with stakeholders sooner than later, Chebukati said in the statement.
But Mr. Odinga while speaking at Wilson Airport in Nairobi said he cannot partake in the election until he receives legal and constitutional guarantees from IEBC that the new poll will be free and fair .
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The opposition leader said there ought to be system changes at the at the commission, stressing there would be no repeat election if the changes are not done.
“There will be no elections on the 17th unless these our demands are met,” Mr Odinga said demanding an audit of technology used to transmit election results.
“It is therefore inappropriate and foolhardy for IEBC to embark on the planning of a fresh elections without full compliance with the Supreme Court orders and in the redeployment of technology in the fresh presidential election,” he said.
“We therefore demand audit of technology in full compliance with the law.”
Already one of the presidential candidates who participated in the August 8 polls is unhappy with the decision to prevent other candidates from participating in the elections.
Ekuro Aukot on twitter said he was heading to court over the matter.
The re-run of the presidential election is expected to take place withing 60 days.
Source: Africafeeds.com
