Former President John Mahama has told Kenyans, from personal experience, that it is not easy losing an election.
Mr Mahama who lost the 2016 presidential election in his home country Ghana is heading the Commonwealth Observer Mission in the East African country which held elections on 8 August.
Speaking to Kenyans about the need to keep the peace of the country after the polls, Mr Mahama drew on his own experience, saying losing an election “can be very disappointing” and “very frustrating” but urged the losers to be “gracious” by accepting that the people chose an alternative over them.
According to the BBC, raw polling data published on the website of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) said that with almost 97% of results in, incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta – who is seeking a second term – is leading with about 54.3%, to Mr Raila Odinga's 44.8% share of the vote.
These suggest Mr Kenyatta is heading for a first-round victory.
However, it has been emphasised by the IEBC that these results are preliminary, and have yet to be certified officially.
But Mr Odinga said in a tweet that his party's own assessment put him ahead of Mr Kenyatta.
He alleged hackers had gained access to the IEBC computer system by using the identity of the commission's IT manager, Chris Msando, who was killed last month.
Observers from the African Union and the European Union among others issued a joint statement urging political parties "to use the legally provided channels of dispute resolution in case of any dissatisfaction with the process", adding that police should "avoid excessive use of force".
They also said the IEBC should carry out the tallying process "with full integrity and transparency".
Speaking to the BBC, Mr Mahama, said the responsibility to maintain calm fell to the two leading candidates.
"They can take Kenya down the slippery slope of violence like in 2007, or they can both rise to the occasion and let Kenya surmount this democratic hurdle and become one of the leading democracies in Africa," he said.
The commission has not said when it will publish the final results. Legally, it has to announce the results within seven days of polling stations closing.
Source: classfmonline.com
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***barred word***, Onaapo. Do you know that it is painful and you collaborated with Afari Djan to dish Nana in 2012. Onaapo Mahama
God punished you severely in 2016 elections for rigging the 2012 one. Come to think of it; You used 4 months to campaign and 'win' 2012 elections, but you could not use 4 years to win 2016. You relied heavily on Charlotte and you did on Dr Afari Gyan, but Nana relied solely on God. Say good bye to becoming a president again because your hands and bloody.
This is true confession paa ooo! Because it was glaringly clear at the time it became obvious that His Excellency Nana Addo had won the December, 2017 polls that mahama was soo sick & shattered. Meanwhile, before the December, 2017 polls, he was all over bragging & doing the usain bolt dash that he was winning hands-down. Its very refreshing that Mahama has now seen his real size! -Next Time-
Yensiamoa, you're speaking emotions than facts. I am a Ghanaian who lives and works in Nairobi presently. Odinga did not win to be cheated in the first place. Uhuru may not be someone I admire but he run a successful campaign geared towards national unity and his performance in office. Odinga lead a coalition of hungry, disorganised and unintelligible campaign. He's dancing and insulting Uhuru more than campaigning. Odinga could not even keep a secret regarding how he's going to monitor his own votes which was even a sham plan. If you care to know, Joe Anokye and some of his guys were consulted in setting up their party collation center. Odinga indeed lost substantial votes in major counties where some of his alliance members are political "kingpins". Mind you, Kenyan elections are highly tribal and while Uhuru maintained its grip on their tribal base, they won respectable votes from "objective" counties. For instance, Moses Wetengula's (one of the 5 alliance leaders) Bungoma county overwhelmingly for Uhuru although Wetengula retained his senatorial seat. In Nyamira where Raila won big last time, Uhuru beat him to it. In essence, Raila was shambolic in all aspects of political campaigning... Cheers!!!
Can Opposition beat incumbency in African elections? It is emphatic 'No'. Joe Anokye did the trick for the NPP Party. Charlotte Osei tried all way possible to rig the elections for Mahama. Odinga should come and employ Joe Anokye next time, else he would be in opposition until thy kingdom come.