ODM party seeks to cure voter apathy in Western region

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has embarked on a mission to tap the over 800,000 votes that were not cast in Western region during the 2013 General Election.PHOTO:COURTESY

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has embarked on a mission to tap the over 800,000 votes that were not cast in Western region during the 2013 General Election.

ODM National Chairman John Mbadi and Ndhiwa MP Agostino Neto said they were putting in place measures to prevent voter apathy that may deter the National Super Alliance (NASA) from beating Jubilee Party in the August polls.

According to Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Nyanza Regional Elections Co-ordinator George Oyugi, more than 800,000 voters failed to vote in the region in 2013.

Speaking to journalists separately, Mr Mbadi and Mr Neto said they would do everything possible to ensure that NASA won the presidency.

Mbadi said ODM would conduct free and fair primaries to prevent any fallouts.

"The party position is that the nominations will be conducted transparently by the National Elections Board to avoid any irregularities that could disenfranchise our supporters," he said.

He said the disillusionment could culminate in voter apathy but noted that pre-emptive measures had been put in place.

Neto said ODM was working round the clock to eradicate a mentality by their supporters that NASA votes were likely to be stolen.

"The Jubilee administration should start packing because we will not allow election rigging this time."