NOMINATIONS

Chaos disrupts tallying exercise of ODM primaries in Kwale

In Summary

• The unrest emerged when supporters of various candidates clashed over the poll results.

• Some of them alleged that certain aspirants had been favored and would be announced winners despite going through the nomination exercise.

Tallying activities for the ODM nominations were on Monday night temporarily stopped after chaos erupted at the main tallying center in Msambweni, Kwale County. https://bit.ly/3u6pfG6

A section of ODM supporters disagreeing at the main tallying station in Msambweni, Kwale County on Monday night.
A section of ODM supporters disagreeing at the main tallying station in Msambweni, Kwale County on Monday night.
Image: SHABAN OMAR

Tallying activities for the ODM nominations were on Monday night temporarily stopped after chaos erupted at the main tallying center in Msambweni, Kwale County.

The unrest emerged when supporters of various candidates clashed over the poll results.

Some of them alleged that certain aspirants had been favored and would be announced winners despite not going through the nomination exercise.

Others claimed the results are already tampered with and would dispute them.

The supporters wanted to know if the data captured in the electronic gadgets was secured and had not been tampered.

The residents alleged that no agents had signed or confirmed the results at the polling stations.

"How sure are that the results brought here are the same as the ones recorded in the polling stations because no officials substantiated them," said a woman from behind.

Another Sadiki Seif Juma from Ukunda complained that a huge number of his supporters were assisted and by the end, he only got four votes in his home ground.

A member from the middle of the group shouted wanting the ODM party to provide backup for the results captured.

The irate members wanted the results nullified and counting exercise stopped.

They said some voted two times and can't trust the results.

The coast ODM Regional commissioner at the National Election board Richard Kairo assured the exercise was free and fair.

He admitted the system had some hiccups but were addressed on time and the data was protected.

Kairo said anyone who fills any unfairness should submit complaints to the board and file for an appeal.

But a member Saidi Hassan said it will be impossible to petition since the data is only managed by the senior ODM officials.

However,  Kairo said the information can always be retrieved and given out as evidence whenever required.

Mark Oremo - National Coordinating Returning Officer told the supporters that fairness will prevail and each candidate will get justice.

He urged the residents to shun violence to complete the talking exercise.

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