Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) led by Chairman Wafula Chebukati could land in more trouble after it emerged that 18 witnesses will be lined up to testify against the commission.
The witnesses are set to appear against the electoral body in an election petition filed before Mandera High Court challenging the governorship of Ali Ibrahim Roba.
This comes after Hassan Noor, who lost the Mandera gubernatorial race, filed a petition alleging that the poll was not conducted in accordnce with the law.
Through his lawyer Professor Tom Ojienda, the petitioner told high court judge Fred Ochieng' that the witnesses would give testimonies during the hearing of election petition.
[caption caption="Image of Mandera governor Ali Roba"]
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Justice Ochieng' told both parties involved in the petition to focus on critical issues like allegations that agents were signing blank forms before the announcement of result.
The former Mandera provincial administrator claims that the IEBC deployed officers well known to the Governor who flawed the process that significantly influenced the outcome of the poll.
In the petition, Noor also wants the court to order inspection of ballot boxes and re-tallying of the total votes cast in Mandera North constituency where he claims most of the malpractice occurred.
[caption caption="Prof Tom Ojienda presenting his submissions in the court"]
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The petition enjoins the electoral commission, Mandera County returning officer David Mark Ade and Governor Ali Roba as respondents.
Noor, who contested the Mandera gubernatorial seat on an Economic Freedom Party (EFP) ticket, lost to Jubilee’s Ali Roba in the August 8 elections.
