{"id":39493,"date":"2017-08-08T06:48:13","date_gmt":"2017-08-08T06:48:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/?p=39493"},"modified":"2017-08-08T06:48:13","modified_gmt":"2017-08-08T06:48:13","slug":"kenya-election-2017-president-kenyatta-urges-peaceful-vote","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/world-news\/kenya-election-2017-president-kenyatta-urges-peaceful-vote.html","title":{"rendered":"Kenya election 2017: President Kenyatta urges peaceful vote"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kenya election 2017: President Kenyatta urges peaceful vote<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Kenya election 2017: President Kenyatta urges peaceful vote:- People are voting in Kenya’s general election amid fears that the result could trigger communal violence.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the eve of the vote, President Uhuru Kenyatta appealed for calm in a televised speech.<\/span><\/p>\n

He urged the 19 million registered voters to turn out in great numbers, but to “do so in peace”. Queues formed early outside many polling stations.<\/span><\/p>\n

The contest pits Mr Kenyatta against his long-time rival, Raila Odinga, and is seen as too close to call.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mr Kenyatta, the 55-year-old son of Kenya’s founding president, is seeking a second and final term in office.<\/span><\/p>\n

The final week of campaigning has been marred by the murder of a top election official and claims of vote-rigging.<\/span><\/p>\n

Observers say the leading candidates both avoided inflammatory speeches as polling day drew closer. In 2007 more than 1,100 Kenyans died and 600,000 were displaced after a disputed election – an outcome neither side wants to see repeated.<\/span><\/p>\n

“After you cast your ballot, please go home,” Mr Kenyatta said on Monday.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Go back to your neighbour. Regardless of where he or she comes from, their tribe, their colour or their religion. Shake their hand, share a meal and tell them ‘let us wait for the results,’ for Kenya will be here long after this general election.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Opposition leader Mr Odinga, of the National Super Alliance, also addressed the public on Monday. He raised fears about vote-rigging and claimed the deployment of at least 150,000 members of the security forces was a ploy to intimidate voters.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, he congratulated Mr Kenyatta on his campaign, describing him as a “worthy opponent”.<\/span><\/p>\n

“May the stronger candidate win tomorrow,” he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eight presidential candidates are on the ballot on Tuesday, with polls open until 17:00 local time (14:00 GMT).<\/span><\/p>\n

Kenya’s election in numbers:<\/span><\/p>\n

Six elections: President, MP, female MP, governor, senator, county assembly member<\/span><\/p>\n

Eight presidential candidates: President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga favourites<\/span><\/p>\n

Kenyatta beat Odinga in 2013 – their fathers were also political rivals in the 1960s<\/span><\/p>\n

A candidate needs 50% plus one vote for first-round victory<\/span><\/p>\n

More than 14,000 candidates running across the six elections<\/span><\/p>\n

More than 45% of registered voters under 35<\/span><\/p>\n

Some 180,000 security officers on duty nationwide in case of trouble<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Kenyatta: the digital president<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Odinga – love him or loathe him<\/span><\/li>\n
  • First time voters<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Decoding the elections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Full elections coverage<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    To win outright, a candidate needs 50% plus one vote, and at least 25% of the votes in 24 of Kenya’s 47 counties.<\/span><\/p>\n

    If that threshold is not met it will trigger a run-off vote between the top two candidates, with the winner requiring a simple majority.<\/span><\/p>\n

    First results are not expected before Wednesday, but if the race is close it could take three days for a winner to emerge.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Voters are also choosing lawmakers, senators, governors, county officials and women’s representatives. More than 14,000 candidates are standing in those elections.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Fourth time lucky?<\/span><\/p>\n

    Mr Odinga, 72, has run for president three times and lost each time. President Kenyatta beat him in the last election in 2013, but their rivalry is generations old – their fathers were political opponents in the 1960s.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Mr Kenyatta and his running-mate William Ruto were indicted by the International Criminal Court for their alleged roles in the bloodshed a decade ago. The case ultimately collapsed due to lack of evidence, and after key witnesses died or disappeared.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Hate speech flyers and rhetorical text messages have been circulating, making Kenyans nervous. Some are stockpiling food and water while police have prepared emergency first aid kits.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Some families have travelled from the capital, Nairobi, to their ethnic heartlands over fears of violence.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Writing from Nairobi, the BBC’s Alastair Leithead says what happens after the election is less about who wins and more about how those who lose take their defeat.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The success of the country’s computerised voting system is key to the process being considered free and fair.<\/span><\/p>\n

    If it fails – as it did in 2013 – the votes will be counted manually and the loser will no doubt challenge the result.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Source:-\u00a0http:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-africa-40855040<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t <\/div><\/div>\n\t\t