IEBC protests order to include ex-MP’s name in the ballot

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has faulted High Court ruling to include the name of former Kasarani MP William Omondi in the ballot for next week’s Mathare by-election.

IEBC said Justice Isaac Lenaola’s order is a testimony that the judiciary is unrealistic in some of its decisions.

IEBC Commissioner Thomas Letangule said the electoral body has clear timelines which must be observed adding that the orders will plunge the by-election into a serious crisis.

“The High Court is not realistic since as a commission, we have timelines which are set out by the law. One is left to wonder, does the high court know what is happening on the ground. This is an election and you cannot just issue orders that cause major setbacks on the timelines,” Letang’ule quipped.

The IEBC chief told The Standard that the commission will hold a crisis meeting Thursday morning to agree in the way forward which may include either complying or appealing.

He added: “If we comply, there will be consequences which include a possible postponement of the elections but we will meet to discuss the orders since we don’t want to disobey the courts. However, the High Court should not behave as if they are operating in a vacuum.”