NAIROBI, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) said Wednesday it had deployed an Election Observation Mission (IGAD-EOM) to monitor Kenya's repeat presidential elections slated for Thursday.
The East African bloc said the move follows an invitation by Kenya's poll body -- Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
"Kenya is an important cornerstone of the region's peace, security and stability as well as being a leading economic powerhouse," Tewolde Gebremeskel, Peace & Security Division Director, said in a statement.
Gebremeskel said the six-member regional bloc is counting on the leaders and the people of Kenya to maintain their democratic gains.
He said the IGAD-EOM team which started its mission on Oct. 19 will be deployed in selected areas.
Kenyans will vote on Thursday to elect a new president as directed by the Supreme Court, which invalidated the Aug. 8 polls citing irregularities.
The electoral body set Oct. 26 as the date for the repeat polls though the main opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) withdrew from the race, citing lack of a level playing field.
NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga opted out of the repeat polls two weeks ago and urged his supporters to abstain from voting.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has insisted the polls must be held on schedule and warned the opposition against disrupting the exercise.
