Outgoing Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has read moschief in the cancellation of two gubernatorial elections by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
On Monday, Governor Oparanya protested the move by IEBC to suspend the elections after it emerges that the ballot papers had the wrong pictures and details of candidates vying for the various elective positions.
IEBC has since suspendes the gubernatorial elections in Mombasa and Kakamega Counties to a later date.
“I question why they had to stop gubernatorial elections in Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Presidential Candidate Raila Odinga strongholds and backyards of two key ODM’s DPL’s,” he questioned.
However, Oparanya was quick to call on their supporters to turn out in large numbers on Tuesday to vite for Azimio candidates.
He called for calm amongst their supporters and maintain peace as the matter is being resolved by the electoral body.
He further called on IEBC to act swiftly on the matter adding that the move would jeorpadise the Azimio’s candidate to propel to victory.
On the suspension of the elections, IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati while addressing the media said the new development should not be used to cast aspersions on its preparedness indicating that the Greece-based printing firm had taken responsibility for the mistakes.
“No politics is involved. We do election management. We will ensure voters in those areas elect leaders of their choice as soon as possible and the candidates will be the same. The order for the ballot papers went in late, the printer will shoulder the cost. We are committed to delivering a free and fair election. In every operation, it is normal to have hitches, and human errors occur ” he told journalists.
The chairman also said the commission had rerouted ballot papers which had mistakenly been taken to the wrong stations.
Ballot papers pallets for County Assembly Ward belonging to Fafi Constituency were erroneously sent to Chuka Igamba Ng’ombe in Tharaka Nithi County for Mua in Machakos County to Kuresoi Constituency Nakuru County while for Tiaty County Woman Member of National Assembly in Baringo County were sent to Lamu County.
“The Commission has since rerouted the ballot paper pellets to their rightful places using air transport contracted to facilitate such emergencies,” he said.
