Electoral body IEBC has said it will not take instructions from Cord leaders on how to discharge its mandate.
IEBC said on Sunday that it can only engage the public in an organised manner, devoid of intimidation and threats.
Cord leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka on Sunday maintained that they will storm IEBC offices on Monday to evict the commissioners from office.
They were speaking in Kitengela town, Kajiado County during a graduation ceremony for Maasai moran initiates.
Cord said it will boycott 2017 general elections if it will be managed by the current IEBC officials.
“The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is an independent constitutional body charged with the conduct and management of elections and referenda in Kenya. The commission does not take instructions or direction from anybody or authority in discharging its mandate,” IEBC said in a statement.
“...it is required to engage and involve the public generally and specific stakeholders in its processes and decision-making. Such engagement is, however, expected to be in a structured and organised manner devoid of intimidation, threats or malicious orchestrations and demonstration.”
The Commission said it has been in constant communication with the Okoa Secretariat and Cord Coalition before and in the aftermath of the verdict on the Okoa Initiative, which failed to meet the constitutional threshold.
IEBC said it expects Cord and all citizens to uphold the rule of law as it demands the same of others.
The Commission maintained that it will not succumb to pressure in the performance of its mandate, and that it will deliver free and fair elections come 2017.
“The Commission is committed to implementing the Election Operations Plan and taking other elaborate measures to ensure the next election will be free and flawless. These preparations will suffer if the Commission is subjected to frequent disruption, unfounded agitation, meddling and interference. We urge the public and all stakeholders to support and facilitate the Commission’s efforts of ensuring a free and fair election.”