All is set for the election exercise in Garsen constituency of Tana River County as more than 55,453 voters are expected to cast their ballot on August 9.
The Constituency Returning Officer Hadija Mohamed confirmed that all ballot papers had reached the tallying centre at Garsen Boys high school and dispatch had begun at 2pm.
While addressing journalists at the tallying centre, Mohamed said all the presiding officers had arrived and expected the exercise to go on smoothly in all the six wards and 140 polling stations.
Garsen Constituency wards Include Kipini East, Kipini West Garsen South, Garsen North, Garsen Central and Garsen West.
“So far we are good to go I thank all government officials and security officers they have been with me throughout from the day we recognised tallying centre to see whether there would be a loophole for any people who are planning to anchor the place.
She said there was ample security also during the first dispatch in the presence of all the candidates.
Mohamed said the last batch of presidential ballots arrived the way before yesterday.
“Today we have opened ballot papers we had few candidates together with security officers, there will still have challenges but we have identified them,” she said.
Mohamed said she has been having sleepless nights so as to make sure all polling stations had the ethnicity they deserve.
Mohamed said proper security arrangements and ethnic balance in terms of posting officials had been made perfectly to ensure the election goes on as planned.
“I am so happy to be have posted in this constituency so far am so friendly with all candidates they are ready to work as a team and they have assured me that they will work with me till the end of this journey,” she said.
The RO said her prayer was that the winners will just hold the ones who will have lost.
A spot check within the townships of Garsen town and Minjila shows there was calm and locals are expecting to have peaceful polls.
Maclin Paul Ziunge an opinion leader from Tanadelta sub-county called on all residents of Tanadelta and Tanariver county to embrace peace.
he also asked all candidates to be peaceful and for those who lose to accept the results instead of causing chaos.
“All candidates from Governor, Senator Women rep, MP and MCAs all of them should remain peaceful and accept those who will win,’ he said.
Ziunge also called on the youths to desist from being used to intigate violence so that the county remains peacefully.
Ibrahim Buya a youth from Garsen called on fellow youth not to be used to cause violence by leaders.
“Whoever loses should accept, sign and allow the winner to take power as it will be the will of the people,” he said.
