KENYA: European and African Union observers declare voting process in Kenya elections free and fair

Record ID: 362518

  • Title: KENYA: European and African Union observers declare voting process in Kenya elections free and fair
  • Date: 6th March 2013
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF NEWSPAPER HEADLINES
  • Embargoed: 21st March 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kenya
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA4T1BTRRIKZXFYUZEIX4PFUAJ2
  • Story Text: With the Kenyan election process still under away, the European Union Election Observer Mission (EU EOM)and the African Union Election Observer Mission observers on Wednesday March 06, gave their views on how the electoral process went.
    "This was the first real test of Kenya's new consitiution, new electrial framework and reformed judiciary and although the election process is not over yet, we can already say that kenya can be credited with demonstrating an impressive commitment to democratic elections." said Alojz Peterle, the head of the EU observer mission.
    The EU donated about 4.3 million Euros to the Kenyan polls body to aid with the election process and sent observers to the country 6 weeks ago.
    Separately the head of the AU observer team former Mozambican president Joaquim Chissano said the only let down was the high number of rejected ballots.
    "The African Union Election Observation Mission, however, notes with concern the high level of rejected ballots which may have resulted from inadequate voter education in the run up to the elections. Although the Mission recognizes efforts made by the IEBC to conduct voter education, it is of the view that these were not fully satisfactory." said Chissano.
    However, both observers commended the Kenyan election process and said the would issue final statements after the Kenyan election process concurs.
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