News
Date:08 Aug 2017
#KenyaElections: Polls close in Tight Presidential Race
Voting has officially ended in Kenya as citizens came out to cast their vote in an election that has received much international attention.
Polls opened at 0600 local time, with a few polling stations opening late due to heavy rain. There were some minor incidences, particularly technical issues with voter identification, and some electoral malpractice. Additionally, adverse weather conditions road network affected the delivery of voting logistics in some parts of the country. However in general the voting process was peaceful, and many voters were happy with the preparedness of the IEBC.
For the first time in Kenyan history, prisoners were allowed to vote even it was just in the case of the choosing the president and not parliamentarians.
Counting is ongoing, and according to the IEBC, results will be live and available on the IEBC website as they come in. 11,155 polling stations will use satellite phones to transmit results, due to lack of network connection.
Voter turnout is expected to be high, given the long queues reported across the nation, some of which began hours before the polls opened.
19.6 million Kenyans are expected to vote in these elections. Of this number, 46.6% are female, 53.4% are male, and 45% are under the age of 35. To win the election, a candidate must get 50% + 1 vote nationally, and 25% of the vote in at least 24 counties in Kenya.
AEP
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