National Super Alliance (NASA) Principal Musalia Mudavadi on Saturday revealed that the name of their presidential candidate Raila Odinga was still on the ballot despite their withdrawal because Jubilee Party and IEBC wanted to legitimise the election.
According to Mudavadi, the electoral agency was insisting that Mr Odinga should sign Form 24 A because the electoral technology kits had already been reconfigured to accommodate both President Uhuru Kenyatta and the former Prime Minister only.
"Basically, both Jubilee Party and IEBC are facing the question of legitimacy. Unless there is a credible fresh election, the October 26 polls would not be credible.
[caption caption="File image of Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Musalia Mudavadi at a past event"]
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“The reason why they want Raila on the ballot at all costs is to therefore legitimise their elections if indeed they will be held," Mudavadi was quoted by Standard Digital.
Regarding Mr Odinga's withdrawal minus signing of the required Form 24A, Mudavadi stated that the letter written to the IEBC announcing their decision to quit the race was sufficient and legitimate adding that IEBC move to ask Mr Odinga to sign additional documents were uncalled for.
[caption caption="File image of Opposition Leaders; Raila Odinga and Musalia Mudavadi"]
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“In the first place, there were no nominations for the presidential candidates for the October 26 polls. So where does this decision to sign a form emanate from, on what basis?
“The game they want to play, if he signs form 24A they will then request the rest of the presidential candidates to pull out and then declare Uhuru president on 26th," he stated.
Meanwhile, the first batch of ballot papers for the October 26 repeat election arrived in the country on Saturday night.
The Etihad plane carrying the consignment touched down at the JKIA at around 8:30 pm carrying polling materials destined for the 10 counties farthest from Nairobi, plus one for the Diaspora.
The second and third batch of ballot papers is expected in the country on Monday at 5 pm and on Tuesday at 10 am.
[caption caption="Ballot materials arriving at JKIA on Saturday"]
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