The US Carter Centre Observer Mission has called on the ruling Jubilee Party to shelve its proposed amendments on electoral laws ahead of October 26th repeat election.
The Center, which observed the invalidated August 8th poll led by former US Secretary of State John Kerry said that changing the laws weeks to the election contravened the international good practice.
The centre, however, welcomed the ongoing talks between the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Jubilee Party and National Super Alliance (Nasa).
“Making last-minute changes to an electoral law is contrary to good electoral practice, especially in the absence of political consensus on such changes,” the observer group said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Jubilee Party officials claim that they introduced the amendments to assure the implementation of the court’s ruling. However, the court did not find the law at fault in the August 8 election, instead ruling that the implementation of the law was faulty.”
The statement bouts more pressure on ruling team, following similar calls by the European Union observer mission, foreign envoys in Kenya and a section of the clergy.
“Credible elections can be organised under the existing legal framework,” the Carter Centre said.
The Centre argues that changes on the law could incapacitate the IEBC and put the fresh poll in jeopardy and called on politicians to stop attacking IEBC and other independent bodies.
“Any changes would not be effective until October 13 at the earliest, leaving the IEBC with less than two weeks to implement changes in procedure based on the amendments and to train polling station personnel accordingly,” the team said, noting that time constraints had led the IEBC to use the same ballot paper printer and polls technology provider.
“It is critically important that political parties stop attacks on the Supreme Court and IEBC and focus on the issues impacting the Kenyan voter. They also should work to ensure broad coverage of political party agents across polling stations and especially at the constituency tallying centers. These agents should be well prepared to monitor the counting, tallying, and transmission processes,” the Kerry-led team said.
You know Mr Kerry unlike…
You know Mr Kerry unlike your Constitution which is 300 years old, ours is young with many many loop holes which have to be closed before elections. We are just trying to make our constitution work for us and we will continue to do so until the last minute. For you Mr Kerry, go enjoy your retirement as you have failed to change your perspective with a changing Kenya. We don’t need your advice anymore. Enjoy our animals, be sure to try out our Samosas while you are at it. Take the plane home once your escapade is over cos Trump needs your help more.