IEBC explains why presidential votes differed from those of other seats but does it add up
IEBC has in its response affidavit has explained why presidential votes differed from those of other seats such as Governors or women Rep.
Moses Ledama Sunkuli, acting director of voter registration and electoral operations for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), explained the reason for why the total number of valid votes for the presidential race was different from those for the positions of governor and woman representative.
Sunkuli claimed that violence, as well as votes from prisons and the diaspora, had an impact on the final counts in an affidavit that was submitted to the Supreme Court on Sunday, August 28.
Comparing the presidential and gubernatorial elections, it was found that 14,213,137 votes were cast overall for the presidential candidates, but only 13,347,058 votes were cast to choose the 45 county governors.
Sunkuli explained the statistics were different because the Mombasa and Kakamega counties postponed the voting.
He also noted that the final tally included ballots from 17,926 registered voters from prisons and Diaspora who participated in the presidential election only.
“Nairobi county governor had 7 polling stations in Mathare and Starehe constituencies which did not report any result as the Form 37As (County Governor Election Results at the Polling Station) were locked in the ballot boxes and refusal of agents to open the said ballot boxes.
“Narok County – Stations in Narok South and Emurua Dikirr Constituencies – Results were not included in the Tally (Governor – Olontare Primary School – 299 voters, Soimingin Primary School – 653 voters and Ole Nkanai Primary School – 680 voters) (C) due to violence,” read the affidavit in part.
14,213,137 valid votes were cast for presidential candidates compared to 13,791,624 valid votes cast to elect Woman Representatives in 46 counties.
In his affidavit, Sunkuli argued that the figures were different because there were no polls taken for the uncontested election of the Kericho Woman Representative.
“Kericho County Woman Member to the National Assembly was unopposed. Where a candidate was confirmed as unopposed, the Commission did not print ballot papers,” read the affidavit in part.
The numbers were also affected by Diaspora and Prison voters totaling to 17,926 registered voters who participated in the presidential election only alongside violent tendencies.
“Nairobi County Woman Member to the National Assembly had 7 polling stations in Mathare and Starehe Constituencies which did report any results as Form 39A (County woman Representative to the National Assembly election result at the Polling Station) s were locked in Ballot boxes and agents refused to open the said ballot boxes.
“Narok County – Stations in Narok South and Emurua Dikirr Constituencies – Results for Ole Nkanai Primary School was not included in the tallying of the County Woman Member of the National Assembly due to violence,” added the affidavit.
Sunkuli filed the affidavit as a response to a petition by Azimio la Umoja presidential contender, Raila Odinga, and his running mate, Martha Karua, who accused the IEBC of manipulating poll results.
However, in its affidavit at the Supreme Court, the Azimio coalition claimed that the presidential votes were higher as compared to those cast on the other seat.
They specifically pointed the votes from Mt Kenya counties were manipulated especially at the presidential level.
Raila is seeking to either be declared the president-elect or have the Supreme Court order a run-off.
Also read,
Raila questions IEBC commissioners’ honesty as he responds to Chebukati’s claims of interference
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