The Abduwaq clan Sultan Deqow Maalim Sambul has appealed to the electorate participating in Thursday’s Garissa Township parliamentary polls to conduct themselves maturely and to maintain peace and harmony during the exercise.
The Sultan said elections are a democratic right of every citizen and it is imperative that all candidates and their respective supporters to be vigilant against persons whose aims and actions are detrimental to the peace and stability of the area.
In a statement to the press Monday, Sambul also called on the aspirants to avoid any negative utterances that may trigger conflict between their supporters.
“Elections is a one-time event. It comes and goes but we shall remain as one people thereafter. The elections should not be a matter of life and death,” Sambul said.
“I want to appeal to the electorate who will participate in the polls to desist from any acts that may trigger violence. There will be one winner and that should reflect the will of the electorate,” he added.
He further implored on the people of Garissa to take cognizance of the recent acts of insecurity perpetuated by militants from neighbouring Somalia that may spill over to the constituency.
“In view of this, I want to appeal on our security agencies to ensure that law and order is maintained before and during the election day,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Garissa County Commissioner Boaz Cherutich has said that adequate security deployment has been made to ensure that the Thursday elections are held in a peaceful environment.
Cherutich said that mapping of potential hotspots has been finalized and adequate security personnel will be deployed accordingly.
He urged the electorate to vote then go home and allow the IEBC to conduct the vote counting and declare the results.
“We will not allow politicians to be moving from one polling station to another. They have done their campaigns and they should allow the electorate to make their choices without being intimidated,” he said.
By Jacob Songok
