A poll observer mission has predicted that a constitutional
crisis will ensue should majority of registered Kenyan voters fail to
show up at the ballot on Thursday.
African Electoral
Observation Group (AEOG), which has 489 long-term observers countrywide,
said on Sunday that the outcome of the elections may be contested on
the political front solely on the number of voters who turn up at the
ballot.
“It is very likely that in the event a majority
of the 19 million registered voters do not show up, a losing candidate
may claim ‘negative’ victory,” said AEOG lead researcher Martin Nkari.
Raila
Odinga, the opposition National Super Alliance (Nasa) presidential
candidate, withdrew from the race, citing an unreformed electoral body
that does not guarantee free, fair and credible elections.
The
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has been under
immense pressure from Nasa to reform its structures ahead of the repeat
presidential poll.
The calls have been characterised by street demos, which have been a nightmare for the business community.
In
its preliminary report released Sunday, AEOG said despite attacks on
the IEBC, their observation was that preparations for elections continue
smoothly, except Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori and Siaya counties.
The
report, dubbed ‘‘26th October Election; Kenya’s Irreducible Minimum’’,
notes that the IEBC itself remains blameless in the situation and is
pushing on despite the challenges.
“October 26th
remains the only irreducible minimum for Kenya. The IEBC remains ready
and capable of holding a free, fair and credible election,” an excerpt
from the report reads.
This seems to contradict recent
views expressed by IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati that under the
current conditions and with a divided commission, he cannot guarantee
the credibility of the repeat presidential election.
The
commission is battling with political interference from both Nasa and
Jubilee Party. One of its commissioners, Roselyn Akombe, resigned last
week and fled the country.
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