Azimio and Kenya Kwanza alliances have protested a decision by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to suspend governor elections in Mombasa and Kakamega.
IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati on Monday announced the suspension of polls in four elective areas citing wrong images of aspirants and details printed on supplied ballot papers.
Chebukati announced that voters in the affected elective zones will on Tuesday only be able to elect candidates for the other five posts - President, Senator, MP, Woman Rep and MCA.
Kacheliba and Pokot South Constituencies are also affected and voters there will not vote for MP positions, adding to five ward elections rescheduled following the death of aspirants.
The IEBC chairperson announced that the dates for elections in the affected areas will be announced later in the course of the week after the August 9, General Election.
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“We wish to inform the country that despite the high level of preparedness, some ballot papers for four elective positions were noted to have errors. As a result, elections for the respective positions have been suspended to a later date to be announced through a Gazette notice,” Chebukati said.
Chebukati revealed that Inform Lykos, the firm printing ballot papers for the polls, had taken responsibility for the errors and would meet the cost of reprinting the affected ballots.
“We urge Azimio la Umoja -One Kenya supporters to turn out in big numbers…,” Junet Mohamed drums up support for Presidential candidate Raila Odinga after IEBC suspends gubernatorial elections in Mombasa and Kakamega counties #KenyasChoice2022 pic.twitter.com/SrltWsJwH1
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) August 8, 2022
UDA Secretary General Veronica Maina lamented over lack of preparedness and seriousness by the poll body to conduct the elections, citing logistical and accreditation challenges.
"We can't have people having meetings all through even up to the last day. Not all our agents have been given badges yet election cannot start without such logistics being in place," Veronica complained.
Speaking Monday night, Azimio La Umoja Secretary General Junet Mohamed termed the decision by IEBC has “mischief” and urged Raila Odinga’s supporters in Mombasa and Kakamega counties to turn up on Tuesday to cast their ballots to ensure his victory.
“We urge Azimio la Umoja One Kenya supporters to turn out in big numbers,” said Junet.