Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission speaks on printing presidential ballot papers

IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba (in glasses,right) and Chairman Wafula Chebukati meet NASA representative James Orengo during talks on the repeat presidential poll at the Bomas of Kenya: Pic: Beverlyne Musili, Standard

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) says the printing of ballots to be cast in the October 26 repeat presidential election begins this week.

On Friday, a commissioner with the electoral agency, Roselyn Akombe, told reporters the printing was set to begin this week.

Dr Akombe said the commission was prepared for the fresh poll in terms of logistics and that training of staff was expected to spearhead the process.

Akombe, however, pointed out that only observers could comment if the current environment can accommodate free, fair and credible election.

IEBC announced on Thursday that repeat presidential election would continue as planned and all eight candidates who participated in August 8 General Election will be included in the ballot.

NASA leader Raila Odinga has pulled out of the race insisting that he can only do so after the IEBC is reformed.

NASA has organised protests to force out IEBC officials it accuses of bungling the August 8 presidential poll in favour of President Uhuru Kenyatta whose victory the Supreme Court annulled courtesy of a NASA petition and ordered a fresh poll.

The decision came after High Court Justice Mativo determined that all candidates who participated in the General Election held on the 8th August 2017 were entitled to participate in the fresh poll.

The Court ordered IEBC to include Thirdway Alliance party leader Ekuru Aukot in the October 26 poll.

Judge Mativo ruled that there was no legal basis to bar Mr Aukot from participating.

“Barring the petitioner from participating is denying him his constitutional right,” Mativo pointed out.

In his reaction, Aukot noted that the IEBC needs to be reformed before the fresh presidential poll.

“I am very happy today because for the second time the Judiciary has proved to serve justice to the people of Kenya. However our push for reforms in the electoral commission remain steadfast,” said Aukot.