IEBC to dialogue with NASA over plan to adopt polling stations

IEBC Commissioner Paul Kurgat at Parliament on Thursday 26/01/17. PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO

The electoral commission will seek dialogue with leaders of the National Super Alliance (NASA) on its 'adopt a polling station' plan.

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioner Paul Kurgat said they understood the concerns raised by the Opposition, but explained that it would be impractical to have five agents in each polling station.

The decision to meet with NASA comes as a team of representatives picked by all the presidential candidates leaves for Dubai today to witness the printing of ballot papers by Al-Ghurair Printing and Publishing LLC.

NASA has been defiant about using its 'adopt a polling station' strategy, which will see the political alliance deploy five agents in each of the 40,883 polling stations across the country.

Acting Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i on Friday maintained that only officials accredited by IEBC would be allowed in the polling stations.

But Dr Kurgat told members of the clergy and elders that there was a need for dialogue.

"We will have a forum with them and appeal for understanding on the number of agents that can be sent to each polling station," he said. [Daniel Psirmoi and Jacob Ngetich]