Register as voters to ensure Raila captures the presidency, CORD tells supporters

CORD leader Raila Odinga

CORD is urging its supporters to register as voters, saying that was the only way to ensure its leader Raila Odinga captures the presidency next year.

ODM Deputy Party leader Hassan Joho yesterday said it is only through the ballot that the Opposition will “bring the change Kenyans desire”. “We intend to change government through the ballot in August 2017. We are here to call on all ODM and CORD supporters who have attained the voting age to turn out at registration centres and register as voters,” said the Mombasa Governor at a press conference in Nairobi.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will on Monday roll out mass voter listing targeting four million new voters.

The Opposition has directed all its officials to identify potential voters and ensure they register.

“To all ODM party officials at the grassroots, this is a call to duty. Your party and your nation need you. Identify our people who have not registered and ensure they register,” said Joho.

The coalition further reached out to colleges help students acquire the vital document.

Both the Jubilee and CORD have complained about limited resources for the exercise after the agency said it would not manage to hire clerks in every polling station.

CORD said it will continue pushing the electoral commission to have more registration kits so as to reach many Kenyans. “As a party, we have many misgivings on IEBC and its preparations for this exercise. We would have preferred that all polling stations be used as registration centres and be provided with BVR kits,” said Joho.

The party called for free and fair elections. “As citizens and supporters of ODM and Mr Odinga, just go out and register beginning Monday. Leave the rest to us. We will not come to you saying our votes have been stolen,” he added.