NAIROBI, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Foreign envoys from 14 countries on Monday opposed changes to the electoral law ahead of Kenya's fresh presidential elections slated for Oct. 26, saying it is against international best practice.

The envoys from the United States, Canada, Britain and France urged all parties to engage immediately in a genuine dialogue with the electoral body regarding electoral procedures and processes.

The diplomats who spoke to journalists after holding a meeting with Independence Electoral and Boundary Commission (IEBC) officials in Nairobi said the proposed draft Election Laws Amendment Bill should be shelved as it puts at risk the IEBC's ability to conduct a better election within 60-day timeline, and unnecessarily heightens political tensions.

"Well-established international best practice is to avoid changes to electoral rules just prior to an election. Kenyans can debate whether or not electoral changes are warranted, but the timing is a serious problem," said the envoys in a joint statement issued after the meeting.

"Wise reforms to an established electoral process take time. They require thoughtful reflection and broad agreement from all parties," the statement read.

Kenyans are divided on the proposed changes to the electoral laws by the ruling party Jubilee ahead of repeat polls on Oct. 26.

While some, in particular president Uhuru Kenyatta's supporters, believe the changes are good and are what the country needs before the polls, those supporting Opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga oppose the amendments, noting they are a rigging plot.

One of the radical changes Jubilee proposes is that if only one candidate remains in a fresh presidential election, he will be declared president-elect without polls being held.

The bill, currently in Parliament, further proposes a custodial sentence of up to 15 years for any electoral officials who knowingly refuses to sign, submits incomplete forms or wilfully alters or falsifies documents relating to elections.

It also proposes to strip the powers of announcing the winner of a presidential poll from the chairman of the electoral commission to any other commissioner.

The opposition has termed the changes a plan by the Kenyatta to rig the forthcoming polls and called out on his supporters to resist, through protests, what he calls "dictatorship" on Mondays and Fridays.

The envoys also said the growing list of political demands, inflammatory rhetoric, and boycott threats undermine the IEBC's ability to carry out its constitutionally-mandated job to hold a new election.

According to the diplomats also from Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Finland and Norway, the IEBC should then make reasonable, fair decisions, and the election should be held as the Supreme Court directed.

The diplomats urged Kenyan leaders and citizens to reject violence, noting that the international community is watching Kenya on every step of its electoral process.