KENYA’S election commission has postponed voting in some opposition strongholds, citing concerns about the safety of election staff.
Electoral commission chairman Wafula Chebukati made the announcement after opposition leaders warned of further bloodshed if polling stations opened today in areas where voting did not occur in Thursday’s repeat presidential election.
The opposition boycotted the election and its supporters clashed with police in several areas, leading the election commission to delay voting in parts of western Kenya until the weekend.
Chebukati did not say when the voting will now take place.
Supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga boycotted Thursday’s rerun vote and disrupted efforts to open polling stations in some areas, compelling the election commission to delay voting in several western regions where anti-government sentiment is strong.
At least five people have died so far in clashes between police and protesters.
Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, governor of Kisumu, said he feared security forces would open fire on opposition protesters if there was an attempt to open polling stations.
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