The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has extended the timelines for political parties to conduct party primaries.
IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati has reviewed the date for gazettement of the General Election date from 14th March 2022 to 19th January 2022, and further changed the end date for conduct of party primaries, resolution of intra-party disputes submission of names of candidates after party primaries to 26th May 2022.
This will allow parties to a period of 129 days to conduct their party primaries.
“The commission has taken note of concerns raised by political parties on legal provisions and timelines so as to continue engaging Parliament with a view to have minimum reforms done by December 2021,” he stated.
“The commission warns that as an impartial referee they have all the disciplinary cards and will not hesitate to flash out yellow or red cards, as part the law of the game, to any player that fails to adhere to the regulations in order to deliver, free, fair and credible elections.”
Chebukati has urged political parties to familiarize with the Elections Operation Plan (EOP), which provides a roadmap and key timelines of the election calendar.
The EOP imposes certain obligations on political parties intending to participate in the elections.
The Commission met with Political Parties Liaison Committee and shared with them the roadmap to the 2022 General Election and targets for Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration exercise, which is planned for October.
The meeting also discussed areas of collaboration and institutional commitments to support the Voter Registration exercise and the 2022 General Election planned activities.
Chairman of Political Parties Liaison Committee (PPLC) Chairman Evans Misati said political temperatures in the country are rising and candidates must be cautious of what they say.
“PPLC urges for collaboration to deliver a free, fair and credible 2022 General Elections. PPLC seek to play a role and encourage youth and those unregistered to turn up and register ahead of the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration planned for October,” he said.
On her part, the Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu sought clarity on timelines for nomination by political parties.
Currently, there are 75 political parties full registered and 10 have applied for registration.
Another 22 have provisional certificate and processing to finish the registration process.
