Keep off IEBC affairs, Duale tells CORD

Keep off IEBC affairs, Duale tells CORD

National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale has called on the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) to desist from meddling in the affairs of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Speaking in Kwale on Saturday, the Garissa Township MP said that claims of a supposed conspiracy between Jubilee and IEBC to rig the elections in favour of President Uhuru Kenyatta are unfounded and aimed at hiding the instability within the coalition.

He said that IEBC is an independent institution that cannot be ordered around by any individual, political outfit or institution since it is protected by Article 249 of the Constitution.

The Article referenced in Duale’s speech stated: “Commissions and the holders of independent offices are subject only to this Constitution and the law and are independent and not subject to direction or control by any person or authority.”

“I would like to tell CORD management committee that that they cannot threaten IEBC since it is an independent institution that takes orders from no one,” he said.

“The law is clear on when the IEBC chair Issack Hassan and his commissioners will leave office; and this is only after a new commission has been sworn in, not matter how long the process takes.”

Duale’s pronouncement was in response to allegations made by CORD management team comprising of Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu, Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama and his Siaya counterpart James Orengo of an alleged plot by Jubilee and IEBC to lengthen the transition process in a bid to force the extension of the term of the current Parliament and the President and eventually rig the elections.

In a presser on Tuesday, Orengo claimed the electoral commission was engaging in random inspection of register for purposes of public relations while putting in place a technical committee to destroy the foundation of the Election Law (Amendment) Act 2015 and upset Section 17 that provides for the establishment of Integrated Electronic System.

“IEBC has drafted regulations to implement use of technology which downplays stringent conditions set out in the Election Act to avoid oversight by relevant institutions and parties on matters of transparency and acquisitions,” he claimed.

“The new legal regime demands exhaustive audit of voter register based on mandatory requirement that each voter’s biometric be captured for verification purposes and to secure accuracy of register.”

In his address, Eseli claimed that Jubilee was planning to use its majority numbers in parliament to change the election date and set up the stage for another Chicken Gate scandal with irregular awarding of tenders for the supply of electronic devices.

“We demand, therefore, that IEBC should stop any exercises in regards to Election Law (Amendment) Act 2015, including advertising and awarding of tenders, until new commissioners are appointment,” said Eseli.

But Jubilee has seen CORD’s concerns as trivial saying it shows their unpreparedness for the next elections.

 

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CORD Uhuru kenyatta JUBILEE Aden Duale National Assembly william ruto

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