Chebukati says he is satisfied with election preparations

IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati with his Vice Consolata Nkatha (left) and Commissioner Paul Kurgat addressing the Press at Bomas of Kenya Nairobi on the current preparation of Presidential elections 25/10/17 [Photo/ Moses Omusula]

The electoral commission on Wednesday declared it was satisfied with preparations for today’s repeat presidential election.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) said the poll would proceed as scheduled in spite of challenges facing the exercise.

Voting stations will be open by 6am, said IEBC, even as some regions reported hitches in the distribution of materials.

The commission also shrugged off a High Court ruling declaring the appointment of polling officers illegal, saying the court never revoked the gazette notice naming the officials.

Commission Chairman Wafula Chebukati explained that security agencies had assured staff of their safety. This comes against a backdrop of calls by Opposition leaders for their supporters to boycott the election.

Mr Chebukati also cited a review of IEBC's own internal preparations to assure that they were confident about today's vote.

The commission insisted a public portal would be maintained to display the results transmitted by both text and scanned copies of forms 34A (results from polling stations) through the Kenya Integrated Elections Management System (KIEMS).

Democratic right

“All the polling stations will open tomorrow (today) from 6am for Kenyans to exercise their democratic right,” said Mr Chebukati who was flanked by his commissioners.

“I wish to announce to you today on behalf of IEBC, that based on assurances given to the commission by the relevant authorities and security agencies, based on the progress that has been made in the commission, the election as scheduled will go on," he said.

The commission held a press briefing and sought to allay fears concerning reports that suggested polling clerks and presiding officers failed to turn up to collect electoral materials in some parts of the country.

Technical hitches

Chebukati, however, indicated IEBC would be compelled to postpone the exercise if they experienced technical hitches.

“We are monitoring the situation and as a commission, we will update the country about the challenges you are talking about," he said.

"The law allows a presiding officer to postpone an election in such circumstances. We shall receive such updates and make a decision."

He reiterated that the determination by Justice George Odunga that the commission violated the law by appointing returning officers and deputies would not hamper the election, arguing most of them were permanent staff who did not require regular vetting, besides having been gazetted prior to August 8.