Kenya Enters Exclusive Club of Four Countries in the World Who Have Nullified Presidential Elections

Following the Supreme Court ruling that nullified President Uhuru's re-election on Friday, Kenya entered into an exclusive club of only four countries in the world that have had results of presidential contest overturned.

The historic Supreme Court ruling delivered Chief Justice David Maraga also made Kenya the first country in Africa to ever annul the results of a presidential election.

Ukraine, Maldives and Austria are other countries in the world that have gone through this road before, with the latter being the most recent having held a repeat vote in May.

Ukraine invalidated its presidential elections in 2004 after Victor Yanukovych, went to court after losing to Victor Yuchchenko in the second round.

A repeat poll was carried and Yuchchenko again emerged the winner with 52 per cent of the vote.
In 2010, Yanukovych won the presidency after beating Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

In Maldives, the Supreme Court overtuned the results of 2013 first round presidential elections featuring former President Mohamed Nasheed and Abdulla Yameen where latter had won. A repeat polled was held and it produced similar results.

In Austria, the Court of Austria ordered a fresh vote after ruling that Austria electoral was disregarded in 14 of 117 administrative districts in 2016. Alexander Van der Bellen had been announced the winner after beating Norbert Hoffer. Van der Bellen won the repeat poll as well with 53.8 per cent of the vote and Hofer conceding the race shortly after polls closed.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, was re-elected with 54 percent of the vote, with his opponent, Raila Odinga, who had petitioned the Supreme Court to nullify the election got 44 percent, a difference of about 1.4 million votes.

A repeat poll will be held within 60 days as ordered by the court.