Court declines to stop voter register audit process

Court declines to stop voter register audit process

The High Court has declined to issue orders stopping the ongoing audit of the voter register.

Justice Roselyn Aburili ruled that the applicant, activist Okiya Omtata, will not suffer any prejudice if orders are not granted.

The court further directed that the matter be heard expeditiously adding that Kenya’s are psyched up for the August polls.

“The petition is likely to affect the timelines of the elections,” Aburili ruled.

The court further heard that it cannot change the timelines for the election date adding that the dates have been constitutionally set by the relevant body.

The matter will now be heard on the 19th of this month. Parties have been urged to file the papers and submissions.

“The matter will be heard whether parties have complies with the court or directions or not,” Aburili directed.

CORD have been enjoined in the petition as an interested party and argues that the tender award issued to audit firm, KPMG is null and void.

IEBC lawyer, Wambua Kilonzo, told the court that any interference with the process will affect the 2017 General Election.

Kilonzo told Lady Justice Roselyn Aburili that IEBC and the audit firm entered a contract on the March 31 adding that KPMG have commenced the work.

Lawyer representing Okiya Omtata, Apollo Mboya, however, asked the court to issue orders stopping the process pending hearing and determination of the case.

In the main suit, Omtata moved to court claiming that the letter dated 2nd of December 2016 by IEBC to KPMG notifying the award for the consultancy services for the Audit of the voter register was made in violation of Section 6 of the Elections Laws (Amendment) Act, No.36 of 2016.

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories