Mudavadi: Govt is plotting to postpone polls

Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi has alleged a deliberate plot by the government to push next year’s polls ahead.

Mudavadi pointed out at the decision by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel to cancel interviews for the position of the electoral body’s chairperson and call for fresh applications.

“When you probe the 2017 elections timelines there seems to be a plot to disrupt the polls calendar so that the leaders will later propose to postpone the elections,” he said.

Mudavadi said that such an event would be very unfortunate and a blatant violation of the constitution. He urged citizens to be wary of events taking places in the country’s political arena, even as they register as voters.

“We don’t want a government that has annoyed people, has trumped on people to get an extra day in power,” he said.

The ANC leaders also condemned the brutality meted out by police on residents of Mumias in search of weapons stolen at Booker police station in the area.

Mudavadi said the police should not hide under the operation to terrorize ordinary citizens.

“Even if guns have been stolen police cannot use such excessive force, there must be other civil ways to do it,” said Mudavadi.

The police operation in Mumias has received condemnation from various quarters.

CORD leader Raila Odinga made an unsuccessful stop over at the area to console the residents on what had befallen them on his way to attend his party’s delegates’ conference in Kakamega town.

Raila was attacked by youths believed to be MP Benjamin Washiali’s supporters accusing him of preying on their tragedy to get a political mileage.