Concern over Kenya poll

NAIROBI -- European Union election observers yesterday warned that bribery and violence could undermine the fairness of general elections in Kenya on Friday.

"We are concerned about some issues that might make the elections not absolutely free and fair," Anders Wijkman, head of the European Union Election Observer Mission (EUEOM), told a news conference in Nairobi.

"There are some areas in the country where relief food and money have been used to rally the support of some communities. It is outrageous," said Wijkman, a Swedish member of the European Parliament.

More than 10 million Kenyans go to the polls on Friday to elect a new president, parliament and local councils.

Wijkman said that although fewer cases of poll violence have been reported this year compared to previous elections, ugly incidents "can still bar people in certain areas from voting".

He also expressed concern over wide disparities in the number of voters in different constituencies and complained that the poll register had not been updated since 1997. "It is unfortunate that the voter register has not been updated since the last elections. We can't understand why," said Wijkman.

The EUEOM has deployed 140 observers, the largest foreign team monitoring Kenya's elections, but its officials will still not be able to see voting in some areas. "We cannot go to areas like the Somalia border because of insecurity. We don't know what will happen there," added Wijkman.

"We share with Kenyans the hope that polls will be peaceful and according to the law and that the results will reflect the wishes of the people," he said.

"If this happens, Kenya has taken a huge step towards getting future development, and enhancing its regard for human rights and democracy."

The Joint Parliament Assembly Delegation grouping deputies from the African, Caribbean and Pacific states and the EU has sent a separate team of observers. -- Sapa-AFP