Kenya's IEBC says fresh elections will include all candidates in annulled polls

Kenya

Kenya’s electoral commission has announced Wednesday that all the eight candidates of the annulled presidential election will be included in the fresh polls scheduled for October 26.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) decision follows a High Court ruling that ordered the inclusion of Thirdway Alliance Party candidate Ekuru Aukot who garnered less than one percent of the votes in the annulled August 8 elections.

“It is therefore the Commission’s position that the candidates for the fresh presidential election schedule for 26th October 2017 shall include all the eight (8) candidates who participated in the 8th August 2017 Presidential Election,” the IEBC said in a statement.

The Commission acknowledged receiving a letter of withdrawal from the fresh polls by the opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) candidate Raila Odinga on Tuesday, but demanded a filled statutory form in accordance with the electoral law.

“The Commission cannot compel a candidate to participate in an election. The law allows a candidate to withdraw his/her candidature by delivering to the Commission a duly filled Form 24A. This form is provided for by the Elections (General) Regulations,” it added.

The IEBC said it will include all the candidates in the gazette which already has the two main candidates President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga.

Kenya’s Supreme Court nullified the August 8 presidential election results which was in favour of President Kenyatta. NASA filed the case at the top court after complaining of electoral irregularities.

Parliament passed a bill on Wednesday which will make a presidential candidate win a re-run vote if the other candidate drops out. The bill awaits signing by the president.