IEBC Postpones Polls in Wajir After Gunmen Attack Tallying Centre

An IEBC official coordinates voters at a polling station in Kenya.
An IEBC official coordinates voters at a polling station in the 2013 General Elections.
IEBC

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced the postponement of elections in Eldas constituency in Wajir county after gunmen attacked the county tallying centre on Monday Night.

Speaking on Tuesday, August 9, IEBC vice chair Juliana Cherera noted that IEBC officials were trapped at the tallying centre for hours forcing the Commission to call off the exercise.

She noted that the exercise would resume once the area's security situation had been addressed.

In Turkana, the polls were postponed following a minor accident involving IEBC staff members charged with the responsibility of overseeing the elections.

IEBC Vice Chairperson Juliana Cherera during an IEBC briefing at the Bomas of Kenya on Monday, August 1, 2022. (1).jpg
IEBC Vice Chairperson Juliana Cherera during an IEBC briefing at the Bomas of Kenya on Monday, August 1, 2022.
Kenyans.co.ke

The injured were rushed to nearby health centres for treatment as the Commission addressed the situation, including replacing them.

In Dadaab, security-related issues delayed the opening of the polling stations with IEBC noting that voting hours would be extended to allow the electorate cast their ballot.

"Due to security concerns raised in Dabaab constituency, and four polling stations specifically Maguto Primary School, Bakin Primary School, Bahajor Borehole and Kotkot Borehole are yet to be opened," Cherera stated.

"The Commission is in consultation with security officials to address the issues raised," she assured the affected voters.

The electoral Commission also announced the suspension of parliamentary elections in Kitui Central and Rongai over unavailability and photos and mix-up in ballot papers in the two constituencies.

Cherera noted that the Commission had deployed ICT officers to address the Kenya Integrated Elections Management Systems (KIEMS) kits hitches in some parts of the country.

The IEBC vice chair further explained that the Commission had allowed the use of the manual register in 84 polling stations in Makueni's Kibwezi West constituency.

In Kakamega county, IEBC resolved to use the manual register in Malava, Matungu, Mumias West and Mumias East constituencies.

"As stated above, the Commission has provided six back up kits per ward in the event of the failure of the KIEMS kit," Cherera explained.

On voter turnout, Cherera stated that 6,567,869 million Kenyans had turned up to vote by 12pm, translating to 30.6 per cent of the total registered voters.

In the diaspora, voting took place in 12 countries including Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa, United Kingdom, Canada, USA, Qatar, UAE and Germany. 

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga casting his vote in Kibra Constituency on August 9, 2022.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga casting his vote in Kibra Constituency on August 9, 2022.
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