The United Nations and the African Union Commission have urged calm and order during the forthcoming Kenyan presidential election
The United Nations and the African Union Commission have urged calm and order during the forthcoming Kenyan presidential election.
Kenya’s Supreme Court on September 1, 2017 ruled that the results of the August, 2017 election should be annulled and the election rerun.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and African Union Commission Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat called on all participants to work with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in its role as the constitutionally-assigned authority to conduct the election.
All political actors, parties and supporters were also urged to work towards a calm, peaceful election without violence, with a call to the Kenyan security services to exercise restraint in their duties and to respect the political rights of the electorate.
The second vote, scheduled less than three months after the first, has been met with nation-wide enthusiasm and tension.
Huge logistical obstacles and mutual suspicion between parties and supporters has fuelled anxiety.
News that main opposition leader Raila Odinga has pulled out of the election and that senior member of the IEBC Roselyn Akombe has resigned and left the country, citing threats to her personal safety and lack of credibility to the forthcoming election, has added to tensions in the east Africa state.
The Commonwealth has consistently strived for democracy in its 52 member states and democracy centred on the principle of intrinsic equality has gained popularity, though strengthening and institutionalising such a form of governance remains a challenge for new democratic governments.
In other African Commonwealth states, Paul Kagame has been re-elected for a further term with 99% of the vote in Rwanda and Yoweri Museveni plans to change the Ugandan constitution to keep his position in office, which he has held since 1986.
In a statement, Akombe said: “I do not want to be party to such a mockery to electoral integrity.
“This election as planned cannot meet the basic expectations of a credible election.
“Not when the staff are getting last-minute instructions on changes in technology and electronic transmission of results.
“Not when in parts of country, the training of presiding officers is being rushed for fear of attacks from protesters.”
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