IEBC Could Be Forced to Postpone Elections in Some Nyanza Counties

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) could be forced to call of October 26 election in selected parts of opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) strongholds over security fears raised by officials mandated to man election in the areas.

A section electoral officials in Kisumu, Siaya, Migori and Homa Bay counties have expressed fears of insecurity to oversee the exercise following the withdrawal of opposition presidential candidate, Raila Odinga from the race for the repeat election.

NASA leaders have vowed that there will be no election on October 26, and there are fears that there are plans to disrupt elections from their strongholds.

However, speaking after a training session in Kisumu and Homa Bay Counties on Saturday, IEBC commissioner Roselyn Akombe saud the commission plans to provide extra security to their poll officials in the volatile areas.

“I have heard of their concerns over the security situation which is serious and I will be taking them to the commission for deliberation. We will also look at Kisumu and other counties affected to find the best way forward,” said Akombe.

Section 73 of the elections Act allows the electoral commission postpone an election in areas it believes there are serious breach of peace on poll date.

IEBC Chair said the commission had sent commissioner Akombe to assess the situation in Nyanza and give back a report.

“Commissioner Akombe will give us a situational report on Monday (tomorrow),” he said on Saturday.

“I would be lying if I said everything is in order. The truth is a lot needs to be done to guarantee the safety of all our staff across the country,” Dr Akombe said.

“We hopefully shall have had some guidance on how to move forward. We shall definitely have different security measures or arrangements in this part of the country to allow the voters to be able to express their will,” She added.

Returning officers and presiding officers from Nyanza region are said to be reluctant to take up their jobs, while others have asked for transfers to other areas.

Speaking in Makueni on Saturday, former Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama said that there will be no elections in Nasa strongholds on October 26th.

“From Monday we will continue with street demonstrations, we are against the October 26 elections and we will boycott elections in Ukambani, coast, Western, upper and lower North Eastern, all parts of Homan Bay, Kisumu, Nyamira among other regions”, said Muthama.