EU observer group lauds resolution of poll dispute

Alojz Peterle, head of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) in Kenya is presented with a traditional Maasai club in Kiserian, outside Nairobi February 28, 2013. The EU EOM has welcomed the peaceful resolution of the electoral dispute that followed the General Election April 2, 2013. FILE  

By CAROLINE WAFULA cwafula@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Tuesday, April 2  2013 at  12:46

The European Union observer mission in Kenya has welcomed the peaceful resolution of the electoral dispute that followed the General Election and will give its report in the next few weeks.

The observer group said in a statement Tuesday that it "respectfully notes the Supreme Court ruling to uphold results of the March 4 elections".

The team said it has been closely following the petitions challenging the results and will present its findings about the legal process in its final report.

“The EU EOM welcomes the fact that the political stakeholders have asserted their rights by choosing the available legal mechanisms to settle their election disputes, thereby demonstrating great responsibility towards their country,” said the statement.

The group said it is working on a comprehensive assessment of the electoral process which it will release soon to assist the work of Kenyan election officials, legislators and civil society.

The final report will include an analysis of the tallying process and the petitions, and will offer
recommendations for how to enhance the efficiency and transparency of future elections.

It will be presented by Chief Observer Alojz Peterle at a news conference in Nairobi.