Photo: The Star

Burundi government through ambassador Ezechiel Nibigira, has urged the Kenyan government and the electoral body to ensure March 4 general election is peaceful (file photo).

Nairobi — The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has rallied Kenyans to ensure they maintain peace during Monday's General Election.

KNCHR Acting Commissioner Ann Ngugi said a repeat of the 2008 post-election violence should be avoided at all costs and security agencies should guarantee voters safety as they choose their leaders.

"We are calling on all Kenyans to remain calm. They should go vote then proceed home or go on with their business as they await the results to be announced. Let there be no chaos," Ngugi implored.

She was speaking after meeting the European Union Election Observation Mission who paid here a courtesy call at the human rights watchdog's offices. EU Chief Observer Alojz Peterle who led the delegation to the meeting said a first group of observer will begin their work on Thursday.

Peterle said; "We will try to cover as much as possible of course we will not be everywhere but we will be very attentive to all the elements and phases of the election process."

The EU mission will publish a preliminary statement shortly after election day and a final report, including recommendations, approximately two or three months later.

The observation missions uses the degree of impartiality shown by the election administration, the conduct of polling and counting of votes, the fairness to access state resources during the election as some of the criteria during its observation of an electoral process.

Peterle expressed hope that the elections would be done in a proper manner so that their report is short with and very few recommendations.