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The leaders of election observer groups for the Commonwealth and the African Union (AU) held a joint press conference in Nairobi today. 

John Mahama, chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group, is a former President of Ghana. Thabo Mbeki, head of the AU team, is a former President of South Africa. 

Both men called for calm ahead of Kenya’s vote, which takes place on 8 August. Their joint message was to ask voters to participate in a peaceful election, avoiding the widespread violence and displacement that took place after voting in 2007.

Eight candidates are standing for president.

Read Mr Mahama’s full statement from the press conference here

Read a joint communique from all the election observer groups in Kenya here