UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for credible and peaceful elections in Kenya, asking stakeholders to trust electoral institutions.
"As the people of Kenya prepare to participate in the general elections on Aug. 8, 2017, the secretary-general calls on all national stakeholders to renew their commitment to credible and peaceful elections, as well as their confidence in the institutions constitutionally mandated to conduct the elections," said the secretary-general through his spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
"The secretary-general underlines the importance of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as professional and impartial conduct of law enforcement officials during the elections," said Dujarric in a statement.
He said Guterres has been closely following the developments in Kenya's electoral process and has kept regular contact with relevant political leaders and other key stakeholders.
Some 20 million Kenyan voters go to the polls on Tuesday for general elections, which were overshadowed by the murder of a top election official and claims of plans to rig the vote.
After a disputed election in 2007, violence left at least 1,300 people dead and 600,000 others displaced in the African country.
