- 'We want more days so that there is also sufficient time for internal dispute resolutions.'
- 'Our members must see that we are committed to having a free and fair exercise'
Image: GEORGE OWITI
ODM has asked the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to consider allocating more days for parties to conduct primaries.
Secretary general Edwin Sifuna said the seven days allocated for the exercise would not be enough for ODM to conduct free and fair party primaries across the country.
“Political parties are not the same and because of our uniqueness, we will be required to conduct elections in all corners of the country. Our supporters are clear that they want free and fair primaries,” Sifuna said.
Speaking on Citizen TV, Sifuna added that ODM cannot guarantee its supporters and members a free and fair exercise if primaries must be completed with seven days.
“We want more days so that there is also sufficient time for internal dispute resolution. We want our members to see we are committed to having a free and fair exercise,” he added.
“As a sign of goodwill, especially borrowing from the pronouncement of the High Court and Court of Appeal cases on the BBI, I would have hoped major decisions by the IEBC were put off so that the commission does not get stuck in the same mud the courts talked about.”
The IEBC has set April 9, 2022, as the official deadline for the submission of names for party primaries to the commission. It has further set April 16–22, 2022, as the period within which political parties will be required to conduct primaries.
All independent candidates will have until May 9 to stop being members of political parties. The IEBC will then gazette all names of independent candidates on May 13. Losers in party primaries will still have a chance to run as independent candidates.
On Monday, Sifuna dispelled reports that ODM likes to pick fights with the commission, saying the party has a good rapport with the agency.
“We want the commission to succeed. They have always had time to have conversations with us,” he said.
He said IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati promised the party that he would consult with members to see if more dates could be allocated for primaries.
“He promised us that in the next two weeks, he will get back to us with answers. We are hoping for a positive response.”
Some ODM politicians have demanded that Chebukati exit before the next general election.
The politicians said they had lost confidence in the commission over a range of issues, including the procurement of the new Kenya Integrated Electoral Management System.
ODM chairman John Mbadi, Homa Bay Woman Rep Gladys Wanga, Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi and Kisumu Senator Fred Outa have been making the calls.
The IEBC has further said it will reject 2022 party nomination lists that do not adhere to the two-thirds gender rule.
It said the realisation of the gender principle has remained elusive in Parliament, with several unsuccessful attempts at providing legislation to enforce it.
-Edited by SKanyara