Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o has called for an extension of voting in Nyanza region by two hours following the failure of KIEMS kits in the area.
Prof Nyong’o said the technological hitch at several polling stations had affected voting in Kisumu, Siaya, Migori and Homa Bay counties with a good number of voters in the area yet to cast their votes.
IEBC officials, he said were demanding voters to sign a KIEMS validation form before being allowed to be identified numerically to vote.
This, he said had further slowed the exercise with voters who queued to vote as early as 3am still stranded at the polling stations.
The forms, which were expected to be photocopied by the Returning Officers, he said were not available further delaying the process.
“These forms are not recognized in law and it is unfortunate for IEBC to introduce this measure after preparing for the elections for five years,” he said.
Prof Nyong’o said he has reached out to IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati to extend the exercise by two hours to allow those yet to vote to do so.
“We have long queues across the region with some of the voters who are elderly still lining up to cast their vote,” he said.
He asked IEBC to drop the procedure and use what is stipulated in law to allow all the registered voters in the area to vote.
He urged voters to remain calm adding that the matter was being addressed.
“I want them to remain calm. We shall do everything possible to make sure that they vote,” he said.
By Chris Mahandara
