FURIOUS

Rongai protests voting suspension over missing MP ballot papers

Ballot boxes and papers never arrived at Kagiado polling station

In Summary

• MP Raymond Moi says problem likely to affect presidential vote because not as many voters will turn out for the delayed vote. 

• IEBC was to issue a comprehensive statement later. Meantime, there was no explanation.

Residents of Rongai have taken to the streets to protest the suspension of voting for the MP seat because ballot boxes and papers are missing.

Voters who turned up as early as 5am expressed disappointment and anger.

Rongai MP Raymond Moi told the media at Mercy Njeri Primary school that he was surprised and called on IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati to act fast and ensure residents vote as soon as possible.

He is the brother of Baringo Senator Gideon Moi.

Saying he would not take part in a flawed exercise, Raymond said the problem was likely to affect the presidential vote as voters are unlikely to turn out in large numbers, as they did on Tuesday.

He called for calm as the problem was being sorted by the electoral commission.

Nakuru county IEBC coordinator Joseph Mele called for calm but declined to comment, saying the commission would issue a comprehensive statement.

Meanwhile, the exercise went smoothly in most parts of the county and turnout was high.

A spot check by KNA at polling stations at Old Town Hall, Railways, St Xavier's Primary school, Menengai High school, among others, established that turnout was high.

Dr Mele had earlier indicated that apart from delays at a few polling stations, the exercise was going and there was no cause for alarm.

"We have received reports from a section of our officers on the ground and forwarded them to our bosses at headquarters and we will be able to get a way forward," he said.

(Edited by V. Graham)

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