The opposition party, which came close to holding elections in 2014 before the exercise aborted, was however quick to warn it members against plans to use the polls to split the outfit.
Speaking after a Central Management Committee meeting chaired by Raila, the party said it is keenly watching the immense interest by a section of its leaders angling for various positions..
“We, therefore, agreed not to allow election activities to be the source of irresponsibility or cracks in ODM,” said secretary general Edwin Sifuna, who read the statement.
“The elections must be seen as a friendly match and not a do-or-die.”
The warning comes as top ODM leaders lock horns over Raila's succession and party takeover.
Ex-governors Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) and Hassan Joho (Mombasa) are leading two camps fighting to inherit the opposition leader’s torch.
Each says he is entitled to take over the party's leadership given his seniority as the ODM leader's deputy.
The first phase of the elections will be from April 27 to 30.
While unveiling the roadmap, ODM declared intention to hold both National Executive Committee and National Governing Council meetings in a record one week to ratify the new elections body – National Elections Coordinating Committee.
CMC disbanded the National Elections Board in January and picked three members for a new entity.
The National Executive Committee and the National Governing Council must ratify the changes before the officials assume office, according to the ODM constitution.
Addressing a press conference, Sifuna confirmed they will meet on April 11 to ratify the changes that would have made elections impossible.
“Yes, the Central Committee did propose certain changes to election management within the party. Those proposals were sent to the legal committee who has drafted the necessary amendments to our instruments,” Sifuna said.
“The party will be having its NEC meeting next week on the 11th for adoption of those changes and thereafter we'll be holding a National Governing Council to adopt those changes.
“So we have our full timetable to ensure that all of these things are in place before April 27.”
According to the schedule released by the party, Kwale, Busia and Siaya counties will go to the polls on April 27 to elect their leaders.
The party will then hold a similar exercise in Kajiado, Migori and Wajir on April 29.
On April 30, the party will conclude the first phase of the exercise with elections in Kisii, Vihiga and Murang'a counties.
Sifuna, who read the statement at Capitol Hill Square, said the party will, in the due course, release the elections schedule for the remaining 38 counties.
The opposition did not however rule out resorting to consensus, arguing that it is a method allowed under the party’s constitution.
“As to the method that will be used, the rules of the party are clear. Methods that you have spoken about are actually proper methods of elections in accordance with our constitution,” Sifuna said when asked whether the party was considering consensus.
“So, the board, the electoral committee, will be sitting with our members in regions because not all regions are the same. They will be determining what method best suits what region.”
The meeting was attended by among others deputy party leader Wycliffe Oparanya, national chairman John Mbadi, National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, Minority Whip Junet Mohamed, ODM executive director Oduor Ong'wen, treasurer Timothy Bosire and Women's League president Beth Syengo.
Also in attendance were Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo and ODM youth leader John Ketora.
The opposition party hit at the ruling UDA party for enlisting public servants to run of its affairs.
UDA on Tuesday appointed Kenya Revenue Authority board chairperson Antony Mwaura to chair its National Elections Board.
Sifuna warned of a return of the system of the 1980s where party leaders and public servants were one and the same.
“The committee expressed deep concerns over developments in UDA, where public officers, paid by taxpayers from all political formations, have been appointed as party officials,” Sifuna said.
“Consequently, we demand that all those people who have been named as UDA officials must immediately resign from public service. There is no way they will serve two masters, the public and the UDA party.”
