PH
Nairobi – A city lawyer who unsuccessfully contested for Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Vice Presidency wants the tallying of the just concluded elections done afresh.
Jennifer Shamalla who emerged second after garnering 1 514 votes behind the winner Faith Waigwa who got 2 601 votes, in a letter written to the Returning Officer of LSK 2016 elections, is demanding that the votes be scrutinized again and recounting done.
“I am writing to request you to halt release, to scrutinize the votes and to recount votes of the President and Vice President Position following the concluded elections until countrywide scrutiny and recount has been carried out,” reads the letter to the LSK Returning officer Arnold Wafula, in part.
Shamalla explained that the elections were not free and fair, noting that the final Voter Register of IEBC was clustered according to towns, as opposed to the normal practice of an alphabetical voter register.
She further pointed out that the voting hall in the Thursday elections was in disarray, creating an environment that could easily facilitate double voting.
“There is no information on where and how you secured the voter register and ballots when you vacated the Supreme Court, Milimani and Law Society Secretariat (National Tallying Center) at 4.30 am, of 26th February 2016, before finalizing the election process,” she said.
“I have reason to believe that you were in constant communication with some of the candidates, as well as LSK members and others who would have had an interest in the outcome of the LSK elections in the months preceding the elections,” added Ms Shamalla, who observed that she believes the results do not reflect the true position on the ground.
The lawyer also demanded that the Returning officer and his deputy, Benjamin Kimwei should avail their phone records for the last 90 days, saying the issuing of certificates to the declared winners should stop until the foregoing exercise is conducted.
“Take notice that this ought to be done within 24 hours of issue of this demand hereof, failure of which I shall institute proceedings against you without any further reference to you and at your detriment as to costs and incidentals thereto,” she said.
