Hassan Noor at the Milimani Law Court in Nairobi. He is challenging Mandera Governor Ali Roba’s election victory. [Photo/the-star.co.ke]
The High Court has declined to issue orders for scrutiny and recount of votes for the Mandera governor election.In the case, Former Mandera gubernatorial aspirant Hassan Noor had moved to court to challenge the election of Mandera Governor Ali Roba.Mr Noor was seeking court orders for inspection of the ballot boxes, scrutiny and recount and re-tallying of the votes cast in Mandera North constituency.Justice Fred Ochieng in his ruling declined to order scrutiny and recount of votes saying the petitioner had not demonstrated that the ballot boxes were not kept in safe custody by the returning officer.Justice Ochieng, however, ordered scrutiny of KIEMS kit SD cards in several polling stations saying there is need to verify whether the results from seven polling stations matched with those that were declared and those in the KIEMS kits.“The only way to verify whether the un-authenticated amendments gave rise to differences between the declared results and the results in the form, would be through a perusal of the relevant SD cards,” said Justice Ochieng, as quoted by the Star.Mr Noor had told the court that those who had been trained by IEBC to oversee the election as presiding officers were not posted to polling centers.Noor further claimed that the election was not conducted in accordance with the law.