Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati has admitted there were minimal errors in the concluded General Election.
In an affidavit filed at the Supreme Court in response to the NASA petition, Chebukati, however, explained that the mistakes were minor and therefore could not have affected the outcome of the polls.
The Chairman stated that the Commission followed all the laid down procedures of conducting the elections including giving party agents a chance to tally the elections.
“The said errors were minor and did not have any effect on the outcome of the presidential election as evidenced. To ensure transparency, legitimacy, and credibility of the process, the petitioners and their agents were given opportunity and fully participated in the tallying of the presidential election results,” he stated.
In the 15-page response, Chebukati stated that the form 34As had special security features to ensure they could not be copied.
He insisted that the election was conducted in an orderly manner adding that the presiding officers were required to send the forms to the national and constituency tallying centres.
Chebukati further dismissed claims that he had any stakes in the presidential elections maintaining that his work was to oversee a smooth election where Kenyans would get a chance to select their leaders.
“The commission and I do not have a stake in the outcome of the August 8, 2017 elections at all. Throughout the election cycle, we were neutral referees. Our resolute mandate was to provide the electoral infrastructure for the people of Kenya to exercise their sovereign will to elect leaders of their choice,” the affidavit reads.
The National Super Alliance filed a 25000-page petition last week challenging President Uhuru Kenyatta's win in the concluded elections.
In the case, the Opposition included the President, the IEBC and its Chairman as the main respondents.
