We Didn't Cancel Repeat Election in Nyanza, IEBC Tells Supreme Court

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has denied cancelling the October 26th repeat presidential election in 25 constituencies in four Nyanza counties that were affected by violence.

Instead, the IEBC said it only postponed the poll in the four affected counties until such a time when there will be a conducive environment to conduct the election.

Submitting before the Supreme Court in the case challenging President Uhuru's October 26th victory, IEBC lawyer Kamau Karori argued that the commission does not have powers to cancel an election.

Questioned on the impact of failing to conduct the election in areas within the stipulated 60 days, IEBC lawyer Kamau said the commission first determined whether President Uhuru Kenyatta had satisfied the set threshold to be declared winner in the absence of votes from the affected constituencies.

Kamau said the winner had garnered 50 per cent plus one votes and his popularity had surpassed the set percentage in the counties and the absence of the votes from the 25 region would not have tilted the final tally.

“IEBC does not have powers to cancel the election. The Constitution commands that the election should be held in 60 days and this court ordered that is should be held within the same period,” Karori argued.