First Kenya Poll Results Due Late Thursday

VOA News 04 August 2010

Kenyans wait in long line up to cast their votes during the referendum for Kenya constitution in the Kibera slum, Nairobi, 04 Aug 2010

Large numbers of Kenyans voted Wednesday in a referendum on a new constitution, which limits presidential authority while empowering local jurisdictions.

The first poll results are due late Thursday into Friday .

Opinion surveys show most Kenyans plan to cast a ballot in favor of the new constitution that includes such issues as land rights and abortion.

Kenyan officials are promising that Wednesday's voting will be more transparent and peaceful than the disputed 2007 presidential election.

Allegations of fraud led to post-election riots that killed more about 1,300 people.

The new constitution is part of the power-sharing agreement put in place after the controversial vote.

The new laws would also limit the number of Cabinet members, eliminate the post of prime minister and put limits on land ownership by non-Kenyan citizens.

The more than 27,000 polling stations are scheduled to close at 5 p.m. local time.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.