I will dispatch MCAs to block polls, says assembly speaker

George Okode while being sworn in as Siaya county assembly speaker for the second term on 30th August 2017. (Collins Oduor, Standard)

Siaya County Assembly Speaker George Okode has said there will be no elections in the county on October 26.

This is the date the repeat presidential poll is expected to be held. Okode said he would lead all MCAs to ensure no voting takes place if the electoral agency insists on pushing through with its plans.

“The law is very clear that elections must be conducted in each of the 290 constituencies. And since NASA has withdrawn from the race yet IEBC is still insisting it will go ahead with the elections, we want to show them they will not be allowed to continue with their illegalities in our county,” Okode said.

Okode’s assertions however adds to fears by the electoral body over security of their staffs who are set to participate in the repeat polls.

Reports indicate that a number of Returning Officers, Presiding Officers and their deputies were reluctant on being engaged in the repeat polls over security concerns.

Last week, three people were shot dead during the anti-IEBC protests in the county.

Okode criticized the state for violating human rights against a people presenting their opinion over a matter which affects their sovereign right.