IEBC chairman says judgment crucial for future polls

Electoral commission chairman Ahmed Issack Hassan on Saturday described the Supreme Court judgment on the Presidential election petition as critical for future polls in Kenya.

“The court demonstrated a high level of professionalism by listening impartially to the litigants through their counsel,” said Mr Hassan in a statement sent to the newsrooms soon after the judgment.

Welcoming the judgment, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman, who was one of the respondents in the case filed by Prime Minister Raila Odinga, said it was a landmark one and would remain etched in the country’s history for years.

“The court has demonstrated a high level of professionalism by listening impartially to the litigants,” said Mr Hassan.
Turning to preparations for the elections, the IEBC chairman descxribed the electioneering process as “involving”.

Praised Mr Odinga
“The journey toward this election was very involving: starting from the voter registration, inspecton of the register, nominations and finally the election which was conducted on March 4,” he said.

Mr Hassan praised Mr Odinga for choosing to have his grievances dealt with by the Supreme Court.
“We also acknowledge the respondents for equally embracing the unifying role of judicial settlement of disputes.
“There are no winners and losers in this case and Kenyans should remain united and peaceful. This case is a classic example of how far Kenya has matured democratically,” said the statement.

Mr Hassan also thanked Kenyans for turning out in large numbers to vote in the March 4 General Election.

During the petition, the electoral commission’s handling of the electoral process from the registration of voters, the internal tendering and relaying and tallying of the results came under serious scrutiny by the petitioners.