OUT! CORD wants Issack Hassan-led team out of office

The opposition Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) has demanded for the immediate exit of the outgoing Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners and to pave way for a reconstitution of the commission.

Addressing a presser in Nairobi’s Capitol Hill area, CORD co-principal, Kalonzo Musyoka, also demanded that the commissioners stop conducting any procurement processes until the new commissioners take office.

While claiming that the current IEBC commissioners are illegally in office, Kalonzo expressed concern in the ongoing issuance of tenders by the commission terming it questionable, illegal and a loophole to rig the next elections.

“The stage is being set for rigging the election before the new commissioners are appointed,” said Kalonzo.

The coalition has demanded for the freezing of all tenders regarding the next General Election until the new commissioners take office.

The coalition further claims that the electoral body is hoodwinking Kenyans on the ongoing audit of the voters’ saying the process is not transparent.

“There is no audit that has taken place in accordance to the law. The IEBC has carried out a random inspection of the register in an opaque manner,” said Kalonzo.

Speaking in the company of CORD co-principal, Raila Odinga, Kalonzo said that a fraudulent and contaminated voter register still persists, which he termed illegitimate and unlawful.

“The IEBC is continuing with its old games of tampering with and falsifying the register and has proceeded with the unfair and an unequal registration of voters.”

The coalition has now demanded that a thorough voter register audit be conducted by a reputable audit firm and the final register put in a public web portal accessible to all Kenyans.

While accusing the electoral body of frustration the electoral reforms, the coalition has firmly rooted that it will not accept the change of the August 8, 2016 election date insisting that the law must be implemented as is.

“IEBC must maintain transparency impartiality, neutrality, accountability and work closely maintain with all stakeholders including political parties in accordance to the law,” said Kalonzo.

The coalition has, however, reiterated its commitment to safeguard the constitution and the rule of law.

They also urged the government to bear responsibility and burden of any danger to peace and law and order.

This comes barely a week after the opposition leader also read mischief in the delayed appointment of commissioners to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) saying the Jubilee government has a sinister agenda in the delay.

Raila urged the government to put in place the necessary measures that would deliver credible elections warning the Jubilee side against rigging the elections.