Disputed election laws that Jubilee MPs passed

National Assembly majority leader Aden Duale

Jubilee MPs yesterday pushed through major changes to the country's election laws in an acrimonious session of the House.

The passage sets the stage for yet another round of political wars between Jubilee and the Opposition as the country heads to the next General Election.

Jubilee, smarting from Monday's failed attempt, succeeded just a day after holding a parliamentary group meeting where the legislators were given clear instructions to pass the changes.

The changes to the Elections Laws (Amended) Act allows the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to come up with a manual system of transmitting results and voter identification, a provisions opposed by CORD on grounds that the ruling coalition is setting the stage for rigging the polls.

"Notwithstanding the provisions of section 44, the commission shall put in place a complementary mechanism for identification and transmission of results that is simple, accurate, verifiable, secure, accountable and transparent to ensure that the commission complies with the provisions of Article 38 of the Constitution," reads the amendment passed in the National Assembly.

BALLOT STUFFING

The changes were passed after CORD lawmakers walked out of the chamber protesting against the amendments and claiming that the Government side was setting the stage for ballot stuffing and introduction of dead voters in the 2017 elections.

Other than changes affecting use of technology in the next elections, other amendments passed by the House yesterday include the suspension of the Election Campaign Finance Act, which among other requirements, compels candidates and political parties to submit their finance details to the electoral commission within a stipulated time.

"The operation of this Act is suspended and the act shall come into force immediately after the General Election to be held in 2017."

This change means that candidates who had failed to comply will get a reprieve, ending weeks of anxiety that they may be locked out of the next year's polls.

Lawmakers without degrees also benefited after the House allowed an amendment that suspends the academic qualification until after the next General Election.

This provision also affects candidates for county assembly positions who have five more years to go back to school.

The MPs also introduced amendments that seek to create equity in party lists, giving minorities a chance to be elected to Parliament.

"The party list shall be of equal gender representation consisting of four persons representing youth; four persons representing persons with disabilities of different types and categories and four persons representing ethnic minorities, marginalised groups and workers.

The amendments were introduced by Nominated MP Isaac Mwaura.

It also created a window for those who have previously been elected as MPs to get nominated.