Problems reported with Kenyan ballots

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NAIROBI, Kenya, March 5 (UPI) -- The Kenyan election committee said Tuesday it was bothered by the high number of votes rejected during this week's presidential election.

Kenyans voted Monday in the first national elections under new laws meant to address the violence that erupted following 2007 elections. Thousands of people were killed in political violence in 2007.

Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga is in a tight race for president with Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta. Kenyatta could face trial at the International Criminal Court for his alleged role in the 2007 crisis.

Monday's elections were described as relatively peaceful, though more than a dozen people died during clashes with rebel forces along the Kenyan coast.

Ahmed Issack Hassan, chairman of the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission, said Tuesday that more than 15 percent of the 4.8 million votes have been rejected, reports Kenyan newspaper The Daily Nation.

He attributed much of the problem to a complex ballot. Kenyans cast votes for five other positions ranging from governors to senators, in addition to president.