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Immediate and Concerted Efforts Needed to Prevent Violence, Remove Uncertainties
Remarkable progress has been accomplished in reforming the framework for Kenya’s elections, an NDI delegation found during a pre-election assessment mission. Nevertheless, immediate and concerted efforts are needed to prevent political violence and to remove uncertainties in the electoral environment that could threaten the integrity of elections.
The delegation included former President of Botswana H.E. Quett Ketumile Masire; Chairperson of the National Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone Dr. Christiana Thorpe; U.S. and global human rights advocate Martin Luther King, III; Nigerian Legal Practitioner and civil liberties advocate Ayo Obe; NDI Senior Associate and Director of Electoral Programs Patrick Merloe; and NDI Senior Associate and Director for Southern and East Africa Dr. Keith Jennings. The delegation visited Nairobi April 29 - May 5.
The mission’s purposes were to consider the state of electoral preparedness, review the broader political environment, examine factors that could affect the credibility of the electoral process and offer recommendations to support increased dialogue and consensus building towards peaceful, credible elections.
The delegation held 25 meetings with representatives of the government of Kenya, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, political parties, civil society and religious groups. Based on its meetings, the delegation offered 44 recommendations that would remove uncertainties that can impair fair elections and undermine public confidence.
Watch an interview with Patrick Merloe, NDI's director of election programs»
Related:
- Modest steps can increase transparency of Algerian elections, NDI delegation finds»
- Kenyan election observers approve referendum process, results»
Published May 6, 2012
