ODM now warns over registration of voters

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will move to court seeking to stop the electoral commission from conducting the 2017 elections if it does not register all eligible voters in the party’s strongholds.

Party national chairman John Mbadi and Kisumu Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o said all Kenyans qualified to vote must be allowed to participate in the next election.

The politicians accused the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of a scheme to rig elections. 

RIG POLLS

Mr Mbadi said the Wednesday announcement by the commission that voters will be registered at ward levels was part of its plan to rig the 2017 polls in favour of the Jubilee Coalition.

“Cord will not accept registration of voters at ward level. We want the registration at polling stations,” Mr Mbadi said.

Mr Mbadi said activities both by the President and his Deputy William Ruto were clear signs that they had sensed defeat in the 2017 polls.

(READ: We can handle 2017 General Election, IEBC says)

President Kenyatta has pitched tent in the Cord stronghold of Coast for more than a week while Mr Ruto has been hosting delegations of leaders from areas perceived to be Opposition strongholds.

Speaking at Wang’chieng chief’s camp in Karachuonyo constituency, during a voter registration campaign, that was attended by eleven ODM MPs, Prof Nyongo said many Opposition supporters were locked out in previous polls because of skewed listing.

Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, who is ODM secretary for political affairs said 2017 elections would be a do or die for the governing Jubilee coalition.

He regretted that the President and his deputy have persistently resisted all efforts to engage the Opposition about the electoral infrastructure.