MANDERA NORTH: FATE OF RECOUNT TO BE KNOWN ON TUESDAY NEXT WEEK... The Mandera North petition filled by a candidate who lost the election, Maj. Rtd Bashir Abdullah, continued with key witnesses being cross examined during the week. The case which is being followed keenly by residents across Northern region and Wajir and Mandera County residents in particular is proofing to be unpredictable and interesting by the day. Some of the key witnesses cross examined include; the first respondent who is the Mandera North MP Adan Mohamed Noor, the second respondent who is also the Mandera County senator Billow Kerrow and IEBCs witnesses. The second respondent in the Election Petition before the High Court, Billow Kerrow who is also Mandera County senator has proven to be a hard nut for petitioner’s lawyer in the case. Kerrow has been consistent in his submissions making things very difficult for the lead counsel for the petitioner, Mr. Muchiri in the cross examinations. Kerrow dismissed as baseless allegations that in the run up to the elections in March, his vehicle hit and a killed a prominent businessman in Rhamu town. The Mandera County senator produced statements of occurrence as filled at the Rhamu Police station on that fateful day. He indicated in his submission that the car which hit the businessman was not his car, but that of a supporter and only has his campaign posters. However, witnesses paraded by IEBC, who are the fourth respondent in the case, gave contradicting submissions. While one of the witnesses admitted to have seen mobile voting booth in some polling stations, the other denied having seen any such facility. The witnesses, who appeared to have “disowned” their own affidavit, are seemingly giving the respondents’ lawyers “nightmares”. However, the witness despite manifested contradictions, admitted that there were no irregularities in the electioneering period as alleged by the petitioner. Earlier on, the respondents in the case suffered a setback after the High Court declined to strike out an application seeking recount and scrutiny of votes filled by the petitioner. The judge, granted the petitioners wish for recount in some selected polling stations, namely; Warga Dam, Sukela Tifna, Kobi Hills,Quraa Mathow , Shantoley and Arda Agarsu. The fate of the recount and scrutiny in the six polling stations is set to be known Tuesday next week. Both observers and agents will as per the law be appointed by the respective parties and the court represented by a judge. Many residents following the case with keen interests are having their arms crossed and await anxiously the final determination of the case.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Aug 2013 04:57:23 +0000
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