The Kenyan Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has implemented changes to ensure that all Kenyans vote in the March 4th general elections, Kenya's The Standard reported Monday (February 25th).

"In densely populated stations where we will have long queues, we have increased the number of polling clerks from four to seven per stream and polling booths to three," said IEBC chairman Ahmed Issack Hassan, adding that the changes are being made as a result of mock elections held in 1,450 polling stations on Sunday.

"It is very unlikely that voting exercise will extend to the following day. We have instructed our officers to allow those in the line by 5 pm to participate in the exercise, even if it goes late in the night," Hassan said. "Every Kenyan has a right to vote. It is internationally accepted to extend the exercise if the deadline reaches while there are people in queues."

Former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano, who leads the African Union election observer mission, praised the IEBC's changes. "We are impressed with the exercise and believe IEBC will conduct credible polls," he said.

Head of Public Service Francis Kimemia has declared March 4th a public holiday to allow Kenyans to vote, Kenya's Capital FM reported.