IEBC to meet MPs over budget, Okoa Kenya referendum bill

IEBC commissioners led by Chairman Ahmed Issack Hassan are now set to meet the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) on Tuesday over issues affecting the electoral process.

In a statement to newsrooms, the commission indicated that among the issues on the table include; the Commission’s budget for 2016/2017 and the General Election, 2013 pending bills report, status of the draft referendum bill and the commission’s position on the report by the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

The commission further revealed its earlier agreements with the National Treasury on a budget of Ksh 18.97 billion for the 2016/17 financial year.

“The budget covers the cost of the General Election including the non-strategic election material, voter registration, Diaspora, training, voter education and outreach, and election technology among others,” read the statement in part.

“We urge Parliament to support the Commission in ensuring that adequate resources are allocated to allow for early preparations for the coming elections.”

This comes amid protests by opposition leaders in their  push for the disbandment of the electoral commission IEBC.

Monday was their third protest  with scores of protesters being arrested in protests led by Raila Odinga, Moses Wetangula and Kalonzo Musyoka and KANU Secretary General Nick Salat.

Police lobbed teargas as the leaders were seated on the road, with their supporters waiting to be addressed by the opposition coalition principals.

On Sunday, Deputy President William Ruto called on CORD to desist from issuing ultimatums on the need for dialogue saying the government is open to discussing with them and resolving outstanding issues.

CORD has, however, ruled out using the Parliamentary process to seek resolutions to the issue of IEBC saying they will instead stage protests to force the commissioners out.

They said that Jubilee has in several instances used its numbers in Parliament to frustrate CORD’s agenda saying the Constitution gives them the right to hold protests.