Raila asks CORD MPs to pass Bill barring party hopping

Raila asks CORD MPs to pass Bill barring party hopping

CORD leader Raila Odinga has called on CORD MPs to pass the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill 2016 without any amendments when it is tabled before the National Assembly on Thursday.

In a statement to media houses, Raila said that the resolution had been reached following a consultation between a section of MPs, Opposition leadership in the National Assembly and representatives in the Joint Select Parliamentary Committee (JPSC) on matters related to (IEBC).

Hon Odinga instructed the Opposition leadership in the National Assembly to whip MPs to support the Bill which is set to be tabled before a Committee of the Whole House Thursday afternoon.

Mr Odinga said the country has more to gain by the Bill being passed as it is.

The Election Laws (Amendment) Bill 2016 bars members who lose nomination contests from moving to other parties.

The law proposes that political parties submit a contestants’ list to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) 21 days before the nominations.

On Wednesday, MPs passed the second of the two elections bill (Election Offences Bill 2016).

If the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill 2016 is passed, it will be forwarded, together with the Election Offences Bill 2016 to the Senate for debate as National Assembly goes on recess.

There has been disquiet within both CORD  and Jubilee camps with MPs fighting for freedom to party hop at will.

Some MPs claim that it is Kenyans who should be allowed to pick the candidates they want at the ballot instead of pinning the responsibility to party officials.

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