Allowing aspirants to run as independent candidates after losing at party primaries is a welcome move because it increases the democratic space in our country.
We know that not all political parties will have enough money to conduct credible nominations. It means therefore conducting a proper nomination becomes a major challenge.
We also know that there have been failures in the systems when parties conduct nominations. So in a situation like that, a candidate may feel short-changed. It is only proper to allow them to participate in the elections. We have seen aspirants short-changed in nominations, contest as independent candidates and end up winning the elections.
My personal view, not that of my party, is that allowing candidates who lose in nominations unsatisfactorily to still contest in the polls is one of the good highlights of the laws of our country. We should guard these laws jealously.
When aspirants feel short-changed, they should first seek redress in dispute resolution committees up to the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal. If it does not work, that is when they should go independent.
Nominations are critical for democracy but sometimes, our parties are too weak to ensure they are credible.
We have seen people already threatening to vie for various positions as independents come elections yet they have not gone through nominations.
This is because of the fear that the nomination process may not be free and fair and they believe they have enough backing to win the seats without the support of political parties.
The electorate votes for high-quality candidates when given the chance and this begins at the nomination stage.
Ideally, these primaries are about party democratisation and are an inclusive way of candidate selection.
Sometimes also, nominations are skewed by party headquarters and officials. Parties choose their own presiding officers and clerks for nominations.
The organisational capacity is the one thing that could bungle the nominations and injure the parties. Parties understand this incapacity, and sometimes try to pass the blame to other players.
DAP-Kenya secretary general spoke to the Star
(Edited by V. Graham)
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