The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has maintained that it is not responsible for the postponing of governorship elections in Mombasa and Kakamega counties.
Speaking on Monday, August 8, IEBC Commissioner Abdi Guliye absolved the electoral body from the blunder that led to the suspension.
According to Guliye, the printing firm is responsible for the mess. He added that the firm had owned up to the mistake.
Responding to Azimio la Umoja after the Raila Odinga-led faction termed the suspension as mischief, Guliye maintained that the Commission is determined to conduct a credible poll, dismissing the claims.
"There is no mischief at all. This is beyond the control of the Commission. If the ballot paper proofs were sent wrongly then we would have been responsible for whatever that might have happened," Guliye stated during an interview on Citizen TV.
"This mistake happened at the printing firm, and they have owned up. These are circumstances that were not anticipated and the commission cannot be blamed for this."
IEBC led by Wafula Chebukati announced the suspension of governor polls in Kakamega and Mombasa and parliamentary elections in Kacheliba and Pokot South citing wrong images of candidates and details printed on the ballot papers.
Responding to IEBC decision to suspend elections in Mombasa and Kakamega, Suna East Member of Parliament, Junet Mohamed, expressed displeasure, alleging that it was calculated mischief meant to frustrate Azimio in its strongholds.
"Tonight we serve notice to IEBC and all its commissioners, this suspension is intended mischief and therefore we urge Azimio supporters especially in Mombasa and Kakamega to turn out in large numbers and vote for their favourite presidential candidate Raila Amollo Odinga, senators, governors, MPs and MCAs.
"Despite of the suspension, we are urging our supporters to come put in large numbers, what is suspended is only the gubernatorial election, all other elective posts are going on as scheduled tomorrow morning. Let’s come out and put the commission and its sponsors to shame," Junet stated.
The same sentiments were shared by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate for Mombasa gubernatorial seat, Abdulswamad Nassir, and his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) counterpart, Hassan Omar, who expressed discontent.
The candidates argued that the announcement would affect voter turnout.
They, however, asked their supporters to come out in large numbers and vote for their respective presidential candidates.
