Raila announces fresh dates for anti-IEBC demos

Raila announces fresh dates for anti-IEBC demos

Opposition chief Raila Odinga on Sunday called on his supporters to resume demonstrations on Tuesday and Wednesday, this week, in a bid to block the repeat presidential election slated for Thursday, October 26.

Mr Odinga, who had suspended demonstrations until October 26, the repeat poll date, maintained that there shall be no election on Thursday.

“We resume our picketing at IEBC offices countrywide this coming Tuesday and Wednesday. As a coalition we maintain that there will be no election on Thursday and the commission must pave way for meaningful reforms,” the National Super Alliance (NASA) leader said.

Odinga added: “We shall not relent in our struggle for a free, fair and credible election.”

This comes even as President Uhuru Kenyatta, during a national prayer day rally in Nakuru on Sunday, urged Kenyans to uphold peace before, during and after October 26.

He asked Kenyans to turn out in large numbers to vote during the fresh presidential election on Thursday.

“Even as I urge all Kenyans to come out and vote, those who will vote and those who will not must remember that after October 26 they will still be neighbours and they must continue to live together harmoniously,” President Kenyatta said.

Kenyatta maintained that he respects the rights of every Kenyan, regardless of whether they plan to vote or boycott Thursday’s repeat election.

The government has assured that enough security will be deployed to ensure peace is maintained even as certain groups vow to disrupt the election.

The NASA coalition withdrew from the repeat poll about two weeks ago citing lack of willingness by the IEBC to conduct key reforms to ensure a level playing field during the election.

The Opposition claims that the upcoming election has already been rigged and an outcome determined in favour of President Kenyatta.

Meanwhile, the African Electoral Observation Group yesterday said the IEBC is ready to conduct the repeat election despite the many challenges the commission has been facing.

In a report released on Sunday, the observer mission noted that preparations are running smoothly in 43 out of the 47 counties even though not all registered voters may turn out to vote on Thursday.

The electoral commission has already began distributing election to various parts of the country beginning with the regions farthest from Nairobi.

The first batch of ballot papers arrived in the country on Saturday with two more consignments expected to be flown in on Monday and Tuesday.

Tags:

IEBC raila odinga October 26 Anti-IEBC demos Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission

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