Carter Center Urges Kenyan Election Commission to Finalize Posting of Results

Aug. 17, 2017
Contact: In Atlanta, Soyia Ellison, [email protected]
In Nairobi, Don Bisson, [email protected]

NAIROBI — Following the release of its Aug. 10 preliminary statement, The Carter Center continues to follow the electoral process in Kenya, including the tallying and public posting of official results and the judicial review of any electoral petitions.

The Center regrets the instances of violence and the loss of life that have occurred during and after the elections, most recently during demonstrations following the announcement of results on Aug. 11. The Center calls on the inspector general of police to protect Kenyan citizens and their right to freely assemble. The police should refrain from excessive use of force and protect Kenyan citizens as they exercise their constitutional right to freedom of expression. The Center urges the government to ensure medical and humanitarian assistance to those in need and calls for full investigations of instances of inappropriate or excessive use of force.

The Center notes that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has posted on its website the constituency-level results (Form 34B), which include a list of the individual polling-station results. In addition, the IEBC has indicated that most of the polling-station results forms (34A) are also posted on its website and that the outstanding polling stations will be posted soon. The Center urges the IEBC to finalize the posting of the 34As as expeditiously as possible, noting the Aug. 18 deadline for filing challenges to the presidential election results.

Access to official results data is critical for interested parties so that they can crosscheck and verify results, and exercise their right to petition if necessary. Publishing results by polling station is an internationally recognized means to ensure transparent electoral processes and increase public confidence in the integrity of the results.

The Center notes with concern recent steps by Kenyan authorities to revoke the registration of two nongovernmental organizations that have been engaged in the electoral process: the Kenya Human Rights Commission and the Africa Centre for Open Governance. The rights of citizens to participate in public affairs and to enjoy freedom of association are core elements of a democratic society that the state has an obligation to protect. The Center welcome the decision of the cabinet secretary of the Ministry of Interior and Co-ordination of National Government to suspend this action and work with the organizations to reach a swift and effective remedy to allow their work to continue.

The Center will follow the electoral process to its conclusion and plans to issue periodic public reports on its findings.

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A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in over 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care. The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide.