JOHANNESBURG, October 25 (ANA) – Kenya’s Supreme Court is to convene on Wednesday morning to hear last-minute arguments that Thursday’s presidential election should be postponed because a free and fair vote cannot be guaranteed, AP has reported.
The top court will hear petitioners who allege that Kenya’s electoral commission is in disarray and prone to political interference.
Meanwhile, should the election proceed Kenyan police are taking no chances and have revised security plans to counter new threats to disrupt the controversial polls following the annulment of the August elections by the Supreme Court on the grounds of electoral irregularities.
The focus of their security will be protecting voters to ensure they are not attacked by those opposing the presidential poll. There have been repeated calls for the election to be boycotted by opposition activists, including opposition leader Raila Odinga, from the coalition National Super Alliance.
The protection of electoral officials and the securing of polling stations and materials is also a priority as these have been identified as possible targets according to intelligence information received regarding the new threats.
A number of electoral hotspots have been identified as “critical” while others will be under “close scrutiny”.
Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, parts of Nairobi as well as Mombasa and other parts of the coast, have been identified as chaos hotspots, and the police plan to deploy there in large numbers.
In the North Rift region, security patrols will focus on Turbo, Kesses and Langas.
While at least two police officers will be posted at every polling station, groups of police will be on high alert for dealing with rioting, blocked roads, evacuation and protecting ballot materials.
– African News Agency (ANA)
