Nassir reads malice decision by IEBC to postpone governor polls
Mombasa County Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) leaders have protested the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s decision to suspend Governor’s elections in the county.
ODM gubernatorial candidate Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir expressed his displeasure on the matter claiming that it is a scheme by the IEBC to disrupt the elections.
Nassir further added that the electoral body had enough time to prepare for the elections and still failed to deliver to the citizens.
“What is it with IEBC that the errors only happened in ODM strongholds?” added Nassir.
UDA’s Hassan Omar and his ODM counterpart Abdulswamad Nassir while speaking at two separate press conferences complained that they were dismayed with the unprecedented suspension.
They said they read malice, mischief and deliberation in the IEBC’s move to halt the polls after discovering errors on ballot papers printed for the Mombasa Governor seat.
“This is the first time in the history of this country where something of this nature has happened. We read malice, mischief and designed to frustrate the UDA candidate from winning the elections,” added Omar.
Omar however said despite the unprecedented decision, they are well prepared and ready for the elections.
“Hours to the elections. I don’t think the coincidence is curious but it was designed to control Mombasa politics by our opponents hell-bent on continuing with draconian leadership. I am urging Mombasa residents to turn up in large numbers to elect our candidates for the remaining positions,” he added.
Hassan Omar said the suspension will have no bearing on the voter turnout.
“I just hope that day they will make sure they make it a public holiday so that people will come out and vote,” added Omar.
He faulted IEBC saying the electoral agency has ample time to put in adequate electoral preparations.
Hassan and his running mate Selina Maitha told the media that they will campaign across the county to mobilize voters to elect Deputy President William Ruto and other UDA candidates.
“Now that our elections have been postponed, we convert ourselves as our party agents and marshal our people to come out and vote in large numbers. We shall also move to each of the polling stations to safeguard our votes,” he added
His running mate Selina Maitha echoed similar sentiment saying they have not lost hope or despair over the suspended polls.
“I will also be a party agent. We shall ensure no dirty trick will be applied to steal our votes,” added Maitha.
Nyali MP Mohamed Ali said the suspension of the gubernatorial polls is deliberately designed to suppress voter turnout.
He also urged Mombasa residents not to be swayed by “any scheme to deter from voting out failed leaders.
“I urge our supporters to come out in large numbers to elect William Ruto and other party leaders,” he said.
The party Senator candidate Hamis Mwaguya also condemned the suspension of the gubernatorial polls.
He said UDA party candidates will not be frustrated in their quest to bring leadership change in Mombasa.
“While our Governor’s candidate will not be elected, we have other candidates on the ballot and we urge our people not to be discouraged with the tactics,””
Fatma Baryana challenged Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to comply with their mandate by providing identification cards to all agents
She lamented that several parties’ agents have not been issued with identification cards.
According to IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati the errors occurred at the printing factory and not at the commission’s level.
The post Nassir reads malice decision by IEBC to postpone governor polls appeared first on KBC.