Presidential candidates today failed to agree with the Independent Electoral and Boudaries Commission (IEBC) on how to unlock the stalemate over the printing of the presidential ballot papers.
The meeting called by commission chairman Wafula Chebukati turned to a talk show with both Jubilee Party and Nasa representatives engaging in exchanges.
And even as the meeting took place, the Commission formally appealed against the decision of a three judge bench that canceled the printing of Presidential election materials.
Chebukati told the parties present that the election’s date remain august 8th and hat there were no plans to change it.
In the appeal, IEBC says the Judges erred in finding public participation was mandatory to direct procurement conducted pursuant to the provisions of the public procurement and asset disposal act 2015.
According to IEBC, the three Judges failed to apply the principle of harmonious interpretation of the constitution when considering the provisions of article 10 and 227 of the constitution.
Earlier one of the candiadates, Ekuro Aukot had demanded that all the candiadates show up in person insetad of sending representives as was the case for Jubilee and Nasa.
Senator Kithure Kindiki for Jubilee’s President Uhuru Kenyatta told the commssion that his party will not be party to a deal to decide who to award the printing tender.
“We find it completely inappropriate for participants in an elections being the onces sitting down to discuss the issuance of a tender, it is both illegal and uncosntituttional,” said Kindiki.
He said discussing the tender award by the parties will be tantamount to engaging in the commission’s mandate.
Majortiy leader Aden Duale said the commission cannot be directed on how to run its operations by the participating parties.
Senator Kipchumba Murkomen also for Jubilee, said his party will have no objections if its opponents decide on who will be awarded the tender.