The IEBC chairman now needs more powers so they should not be curtailed, office holder Wafula Chebukati has said.
Chebukati said this on Thursday while answering questions on amendments to election laws as pushed by Jubilee MPs.
The Bill seeks to streamline IEBC's operations in case the chairperson quits or cannot exercise their mandate.
The Bill notes the chair is the returning officer of the presidential election and is the only one mandated to declare results.
But it says the vice chair should take over should he quit and that should this be impossible, other five members should elect a chairperson from among themselves.
In addition, the commission's decisions can now be made by half the number of existing commissioners as long as the quorum is three.
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Chebukati said he has
no control over what goes in Parliament but noted the commission does not need any more
laws.
"We cannot extend the 60-day period [for the fresh election] ordered by
the [Supreme] Court and I hope it will not be interfered with," he told a press conference at Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi.
"I hope the laws in Parliament
will not change the premises we have put in place. It will take the agency backwards."
PRINCIPALS TO APPEAR IN PERSON
The chairman assured Kenya the repeat poll set for
October 26 will take place as planned despite the collapse of IEBCs talks with NASA and Jubilee representatives.
The talks ended on a bad note earlier today
after NASA representatives walked out.
"The
meeting did not proceed as planned...[but] I
assure you the election will take place. We will go on with preparations," Chebukati said.
The chairman also said president hopefuls Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga will attend the next meeting in person
instead of sending "sideshow" representatives.
"Next time we want principals to come in person. We don't want generals to cause sideshows here ahead of the election...we must meet sooner rather than later."
Chebukati further noted their
doors are open for stakeholders to consult when ready.
"IEBC doors are open to engage anyone," he said.
"Hopefully, they {NASA} will reconsider and come back to us.
We will not get tired of engaging parties."
At the meeting, Siaya Senator James Orengo said Jubilee party has come up with a proposed Bill they cannot accept.
"The rules of the game should be agreed by all players. They should be fair and justifiable. Jubilee Party is arrogant," Orengo said.
The Senator and lawyer added the Bill is an example of what the President termed "fixing" the Judiciary if he wins the fresh poll.
On Wednesday, IEBC, Jubilee and NASA agents took a
so the two political sides could consult their principals.
The break came after more than an hour behind closed doors.
More on meeting:
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