Polls open in Kenya's rerun presidential election; early turnout low

26 Octobre 2017

Nairobi, Kenya, October 26 (Infosplusgabon) - Voting has begun in Kenya's controversial presidential election rerun with low turnout in many places.

Polling started at 0600 (0300 GMT) on Thursday but it appears that the poll boycott called by the main oppsition leader Raila Odinga is holding with electoral staff absent at many polling stations.

There have been heavy rains in the capital since Wednesday evening stopping early voters from coming out to cast their ballots.

In other areas, there is heavy security presence. Roads have been blocked by opposition activists, where security personnel fired shots while escorting the polling material.

In Nairobi, Machakos and Kakamega, there is a low turnout in some places.

The vote is taking place after a last minute attempt by the opposition on Wednesday to stop it at the Supreme Court failed because only two of the seven justices were available. The Supreme Court could not therefore sit because of lack of quorum.

The rerun was ordered by the Supreme Court which ruled on 1 September that the 8 August poll was not conducted according to the constitution, saying there were irregularities and illegalities.

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/OUI/GABON 2017

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