PRESS CONFERENCES
ECES ATTENDS ELECTION OBSERVERS’ PRESS CONFERENCES
11th August 2022
The European Centre for Electoral support and the Pro-peace Kenya team on 11th August 2022 attended several Election Observers’ post-election press conferences where various groups issued statements on their findings and recommendations from the Kenyan General Elections. The observer groups, both local and international had been invited by the independent Electoral and Boundaries commission (IEBC).
During their presentations, the observer mission commended a highly peaceful environment during the pre-election period as well as the IEBC for preparing and conducting the General Elections amidst challenges.
The IRI and NDI election observers recognised National Cohesion and Integration Commission’s (NCIC) efforts as being more proactive than in previous elections to realise their objectives as set in their roadmap for peaceful election dubbed ‘Uchaguzi Bila Noma’.
In the lead up to the elections, NCIC implemented a variety of activities including organising peace Caravans, peace walks, Establishment of a situation room and consultation forums with media, faith-based organisations, elders, women, people with disabilities and community-based organisations towards enhancing peace and Cohesion in Kenya. All these activities were supported by the pro-peace Kenya project which was implemented in collaboration with the European Centre for Electoral Support and funded by the European Union.
For the European Union Election Observation Mission press conference held at the Stanley Sarova hotel, Nairobi, the mission assessed all aspects and stages of the electoral process, while highlighting that all EU Election observers were bound by a strict code of conduct and ethical guidelines that guaranteed their neutrality and impartiality.
The reports from various Election observer groups offered recommendations among which include:
- Political parties and candidates
- Urged to publicly direct supporters on refraining from any act of violence during and after the tabulation and announcement of results by the IEBC.
- Seek redress for any electoral complaint that may arise via proper legal channels and abide by outcomes of judicial proceedings.
- The government – Ensure a smooth transition to the new President and other elected officials.
- Media, Religious leaders, civil society - Citizen watchdogs and observer groups should continue to independently verify results while maintaining professionalism, impartiality and accuracy to deter manipulation of the tabulation process and counter misinformation.
Comprehensive recommendations are contained in the statements issued by each observer groups as disseminated across the media and other channels.