Nairobi, Kenya - The much anticipated Football Kenya elections have been set for 29 October, the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) announced on Thursday. IIEC Chief executive officer, James Oswago, who  stressed the need for the time lines to be adhered to, said on 7-9 October the Independent Electoral Board (IEB) would publish a list of polling stations or sub-branches in daily newspapers.

On 10-13 October the IIEC will avail the voters register as the IEB calls on members of the public to inspect the register from the lowest level while on 17-21 October the IEB would undertake corrections of errors in the  register.

On 22-23 October the IEB will avail the corrected register for further verification but no corrections will be made while on 24 October the board will present the register for publication and ready for distribution.

Oswago said the IIEC would train polling officials, procure materials such as ballot papers, indelible ink and voters cards among other materials to be used for purposes of he elections.

The transmission of the results will be done electronically at the Nyayo National Stadium Amhitheatre, Nairobi, which will be the national tallying centre.

“Arrangements have been made for a tight security and only 100 accredited officials apart from members of the media will be allowed in the venue.'

Oswago said they had the technical capacity and the experience to conduct the polls.

Disturbed by poor management of the sport in the country and persistent wrangling that have seen Kenya drop to 130 in the world, world football governors, Fifa formed the IEB, a body that brought together distinguished industry captains and lawyers, to put everything in place ahead of the elections.

Consequently the board, working closely with the sports ministry, requested the Interim Independent Electoral Commission, the national electoral body, to conduct the elections.

Enjoying the goodwill of Kenyans who want  a free and fair Football Kenya elections, the government, Fifa and private comPanaies joined hands and gave the board 18 million shillings for the elections.

The government, out to ensure the exercise is free and fair, gave both Fifa-recognised Football Kenya Limited and government-endorsed Kenya Football Federation (KFF) the chance to battle it out on a level playing field.

FKL incumbent chairman, Mohammed Hatimy will battle it out with KFF chairman Sam Nyamweya. Also gunning for the Chairman's post are youth football  promoter-cum businessman Hussein Mohammed and  chairman of Kenyan Premier League side For Mahia, Ambrose Rachier.

Sports Minister Paul Otuoma has assured the football stakeholders that the government and IEB will do everything to ensure free and fair elections and urged the aspirants to accept the poll result.

Pana 07/10/2011