The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati has announced that the Presidential election slated for October 26 will go on as planned.
Speaking from Bomas of Kenya on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Chebukati assured the country that everything was set for the polls and Kenyans should go out to exercise their constitutional right.
He stated that in the past weeks, he held fruitful discussions with President Uhuru Kenyatta and National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga over the current state of the nation.
[caption caption="IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati"]
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Chebukati further divulged that the police were under strict orders not to harass anyone during the election period and warned the officers that anyone caught breaching this would face the full force of the law.
"Police brutality has to stop. Anyone caught harassing people exercising their democratic right will face the law.
"The right to protest is in the constitution. Based on the assurances given and progress that I have seen in the past few days, I wish to announce that the election will go on tomorrow October 26," stated Chebukati.
The poll body boss asked all voters to go to their respective polling stations early in the morning as they would open from 6 am.
He further advised all voters to go back home after casting their ballot and wait for the official announcement of results by IEBC.
On competency of returning officers, Maraga stated Justice George Odunga's ruling that the appointment of the officers was illegal did not mean they should not proceed with conducting the polls.
"Odunga's ruling did not stop returning officers from discharging their duties. In areas where hostility has been reported, the presiding officers can postpone the election," added Chebukati.
Earlier on Wednesday, there was unrest in Migori County after a section of residents attempted to block the delivery of ballot papers.
It was alleged that two people were shot in the ensuing melee but efforts to reach the Migori County offices regarding the situation on the ground proved futile as our calls and texts went unanswered.
[caption caption="Justice George Odunga"]
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