The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has appealed against the High Court order compelling it to receive Reuben Kigame’s nomination papers.
According to IEBC, the orders will affect the timelines ahead of the fast-approaching August polls in which the Chebukati-led commission disputes the decision by the Disputes Resolutions Committee (DRC).
The DRC through Justice Anthony Mrima violated Kigame’s rights and presented legal challenges.
In its appeal, the electoral body argued that Kigame failed to meet the 48,000 signature requirements which they insist is a constitutional requirement according to Article 137 of the constitution
Due to this, IEBC declared Kigame’s nomination invalid with IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati pointing out that Kigame had only presented a list of 1,013 supporters.
“The Commission has not had sight of any other list of supporters adverted to in the Court’s Judgment and is not aware that the list of supporters was presented before the Honourable Court 2 to enable the Court to arrive at the conclusions contained in the Judgment,” Chebukati stated.
IEBC further said that the inclusion of Kigame would draw back the preparedness of the commission as it would require the reprogramming of all the 55,650 KIEMS kits and redesigning the printing of ballot papers.
The poll agency stated that the statutory changes to include the independent presidential candidate on the ballot would incur the commission an extra budget which was not available.
“The cost of printing new ballot papers and rescheduling freight is not less than eight (8) million Euros (approximately Sh971million). This amount is not in the Commission’s election budget,” said Chebukati.
The court of law on Monday ordered IEBC to accept Reuben Kigame’s presidential nomination papers regardless of a deficit in signatures presented.
Justice Anthony Mrima said given his disability the effort demonstrated by the presidential hopeful cum musician.
According to Justice Mrima, Kigame who is visually impaired, collecting signatures should suffice as far as meeting the required threshold goes.
The Wafula Chebukati-led commission had removed the candidate from the race for failing to obtain the 48,000-signature thresholds which was a requirement for candidates.