One hour to go: IEBC rallies Ol Kalou voters to turn out

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has made a final appeal to eligible voters in Ol Kalou Constituency to turn out and cast their ballots as the parliamentary by-election entered its final hour on Thursday.

In a public advisory issued an hour before the scheduled close of polling, the electoral agency urged residents to exercise their democratic right peacefully, reminding them that every vote matters in the closely watched contest.

"To all voters in Ol Kalou Constituency, your participation matters. We encourage you to turn out in large numbers and peacefully exercise your democratic right," the commission said.

The IEBC reiterated that polling stations would officially close at 5 pm but clarified that all voters already in the queue by the deadline would still be allowed to vote.

"Any lost time at opening will be recovered at closing and voters in the queue by 5 pm will be allowed to vote," the commission said.

The clarification came amid continued voting across the constituency, where residents have been electing their new Member of Parliament in a race that has attracted candidates from several political parties and independent aspirants.

The by-election has generated significant political attention, with candidates expressing confidence after casting their votes while urging supporters to participate in the electoral process.

Throughout the day, the IEBC has maintained that the exercise should be conducted peacefully and in accordance with electoral laws, even as security agencies remained deployed across polling centres to help maintain order.

The commission has also reminded politicians and other stakeholders to comply with election regulations as voting draws to a close and the tallying process approaches.

Voting is expected to conclude after all eligible voters who are in line by the official closing time have cast their ballots, paving the way for counting and tallying before the declaration of results.