NAMLEF enhances civic participation with 400 observers in by-elections
The deployment is part of the organization’s civic programmes to ensure that Muslims play a more active role in the national affairs of the country.
The National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF) deployed more than 400 election observers in the just-concluded by-elections in various electoral areas of the country.
The observers were accredited by the Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission (IEBC), and they were posted at various polling stations to monitor the conduct of the elections.
The IEBC conducted the by-elections on November 27 in select parts of the country, including several parliamentary seats.
According to the NAMLEF secretary general Salim Vayani, the deployment is part of the organization’s civic programmes to ensure that Muslims play a more active role in the national affairs of the country.
“We want Muslims to be active players in the constitutional process of this country. We need to be part of the process, and our participation also gives us an opportunity to learn how the election process works,” he said.
He emphasized that the community needs to be involved in all aspects of the country’s political system, as this will enhance its civic participation thereby contribute to making Kenya a better country.
On the conduct of the elections, he said NAMLEF was still receiving reports from its officials posted at the polling stations and will make a due assessment on the overall conduct of the elections.
The observers were posted at various polling elections in the counties of Busia, Trans Nzoia, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Siaya, Kisii, Migori, Kisumu, Mandera, Nairobi among other areas.
Election observers are responsible for monitoring the entire electoral process to ensure it complies with legal and democratic standards.
The role of the monitors includes observing polling activities, identifying irregularities, assessing the electoral environment, and offering recommendations for improvement.
Through monitoring, they enhance transparency, deter fraud, and boost public confidence in the electoral system.
In the by-elections, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Ahmed Maalim Hassan clinched the Banissa Constituency, Leo Muthende won the Mbeere North constituency seat on a UDA ticket, and David Ndakwa, who ran on a UDA flag was declared the winner in Malava.
In other results, Vincent Chemitei, standing as a UDA candidate, clinched the Baringo seat, while Harrison Kombe, Boyd Were, and Moses Omondi, all from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, won the Magarini, Kasipul, and Ugunja constituencies, respectively.