IEBC pampering political parties, says human rights body

By Augustine Oduor

Nairobi, Kenya: The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has come under criticism from a human rights agency for failing to adhere to the strict elections guidelines.

Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said the IEBC should not be seen pampering the whims of the political parties by adjusting the elections timelines.

Speaking to the press, Commission acting chair Ann Ngugi asked the electoral agency to set the standards high and refuse any contrary requests.

She said the IEBC has yielded to pressure from political parties bringing to question their strict adherence to the law.

“ These political parties had all the time to conduct their party primaries in time. So they had ample time to put their house in order and they failed to do so and it is wrong to return to IEBC to bend the law,” she said.

The official was reacting to the extension of the political parties date to submit final party list on Monday next week by IEBC.

All political parties were set to file their final lists by close of business Friday.

However, delays in delivery of ballot papers, violence and confusion marred the party elections process Thursday prompting some parties to move the exercise to Friday.

The parties also mounted pressure on IEBC to extend the date blaming the electoral agency for releasing party lists late.

But Ms Ngugi warned that this extension must not affect the set March 4 date for the general elections.

“IEBC must move to allay fears that have been occasioned by the change of submission dates. They must do this in order to restore public confidence in their ability to deliver timely and peaceful elections,” she said.