Leaders must agree to accept the results

It may be too early to deliver a meaningful verdict, but Kenyans deserve to congratulate themselves for coming out to vote in numbers while remaining orderly and peaceful.

According to preliminary reports, the voting on Wednesday proceeded smoothly. Other than the usual minor glitches, there were no untoward incidents reported by the time polling stations closed in the evening.

The Interim Independent Electoral Commission also deserves a round of applause, but if the experience of the 2007 General Elections is to be any guide, the verdict on it must be withheld until the counting has ended and results released.

It is our hope that the atmosphere of peace and calm which prevailed during the voting replicated throughout until a verdict is delivered.

After the voting, the challenge falls on the Electoral Commission to conduct an efficient and transparent counting and tallying process so that all round, there will be no doubt that the verdict represents a fair reflection of the wishes of Kenyans.

Memories are still fresh how a mismanaged election count, after fairly smooth voting exercise, tainted the 2007 elections and precipitated a level of violence never before witnessed in Kenya.

Kenyan leaders from both the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ camps are also to be acknowledged for their constant calls for a peaceful referendum and their pledges to accept the verdict of the people.

However ,those pledges to accept the results came with the rider that only if the referendum was free and fair. It is our hope that no side will renege on its solemn and public commitment.

If any side disputes the results, then it must be do so only with concrete evidence rather than the grouses of a bad loser.