Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) may be forced to postpone the fast-approaching August polls if they have to include the name of Rueben Kigame in the presidential race.
The Wafula Chebukati led commission said it is practically impossible to abide by the court order directing that it clears Kigame for the August 9 polls.
The High Court on Monday ordered the IEBC to consider Kigame’s papers for review and approval.
According to Justice Anthony Mrima IEBC violated Kigame’s rights by locking him out of the presidential contest.
Mrima directed the electoral commission to consider his papers and the signatures he had collected.
According to the electoral agency, the ruling will have far-reaching implications on a number of processes and steps already taken by the commission which must be either redone or started afresh.
Chebukati pointed out that IEBC will be forced to reprogram the candidate Registration System for registration and ballot proofing.
The Results Transmission System will also need to be adjusted to reflect the addition of a fifth presidential candidate.
“The printer of the ballot papers will have to redesign the printing template to include the new candidate and his running mate,” Chebukati said.
The commission has since appealed the ruling, hoping to overturn Mrima’s decision that radically complicates the election calendar.
Citing an array of technical implications and strict timelines, IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati said it will take the commission another 30 days to include Kigame’s name on the presidential ballot.