Africa-Press – Kenya. Julie Soweto, one of the lawyers representing Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga, has told the Supreme Court that the cancellation of elections in his strongholds suppressed voter turnout.
Speaking during her submission on Wednesday, Soweto said the postponement meant that elections in Raila’s strongholds did not start at the same time compared to the strongholds of President-elect William Ruto.
“The elections were cancelled only in the strongholds of the 1st petitioner, therefore the first petitioner didn’t start equally with the 1st respondent,” she said.
“Therefore the cancellation of the vote in those areas suppressed the voter turnout.”
Soweto raised questions on why Kiems kits failed in other areas believed to be aligned to the petitioners (Raila Odinga and Martha Karua).
On election day, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission cancelled gubernatorial elections in Kakamega and Mombasa counties which are largely believed to be Raila bases.
Five other constituencies and two wards were cancelled and according to the IEBC, it was because of a mix-up in ballot papers printing.
The elections had been slated for August 23 but were later on postponed to August 29.
The election has since been held and substantive office holders elected.
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