Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga said on Friday the election commission should resign and some officials should face criminal prosecution after the Supreme Court ruled that irregularities nullified last month’s presidential election.

Odinga held a press conference at his party headquarters hours after the court ordered a new poll within 60 days, an unprecedented move in Africa where governments are often seen holding sway over judges.

Chief Justice David Maraga announced the Supreme Court’s verdict that was backed by four of the six judges, saying the declaration of Kenyatta’s victory was “invalid, null and void”. Details of the ruling will be released within 21 days.

Judges said they found no misconduct by Kenyatta but said the election board “failed, neglected or refused to conduct the presidential election in a manner consistent with the dictates of the constitution.”

Kenya’s judiciary went through sweeping changes after 2007 election violence in a bid to restore confidence the legal system. Friday’s ruling is likely to galvanise pro-democracy campaigners across Africa, where many complain their judiciaries simply rubber stamp presidential rule.

Reuters