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First Kenya Poll Results Due Late Thursday

   VOA News 04 August 2010
   Kenyans wait in long line up to cast their votes during the referendum
   for Kenya constitution in the Kibera slum, Nairobi, 04 Aug 2010

Photo: AP

   Kenyans wait in long line up to cast their votes during the referendum
   for Kenya constitution in the Kibera slum, Nairobi, 04 Aug 2010

   Large  numbers  of  Kenyans  voted  Wednesday in a referendum on a new
   constitution,  which  limits  presidential  authority while empowering
   local jurisdictions. Â
   The first poll results are due late Thursday into Friday . Â
   Opinion  surveys  show  most Kenyans plan to cast a ballot in favor of
   the  new  constitution  that  includes  such issues as land rights and
   abortion.
   Kenyan  officials  are  promising that Wednesday's voting will be more
   transparent and peaceful than the disputed 2007 presidential election.
   Allegations of fraud led to post-election riots that killed more about
   1,300 people.
   The  new  constitution  is  part of the power-sharing agreement put in
   place after the controversial vote.
   The new laws would also limit the number of Cabinet members, eliminate
   the  post  of  prime  minister  and  put  limits  on land ownership by
   non-Kenyan citizens.
   The more than 27,000 polling stations are scheduled to close at 5 p.m.
   local time.Â

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

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