IEBC calls for free, fair nominations

By Vincent Bartoo

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has cautioned political parties against denying winners tickets on account of their tribe.

IEBC North Rift Co-ordinator, Mr Solomon Mudanya, said the parties should allow democracy to thrive during the primaries. “Aspirants should not be denied tickets because of their tribal affiliations. It is one of the areas the commission will closely monitor,” he said.

Mudanya also warned party officials against selling tickets to wealthy aspirants at the grassroots. “Parties should be fair to everyone. Officials should resist the temptation to hand nomination tickets to those with deep pockets,” he said.

He was speaking on Tuesday at a media roundtable themed Political Parties Nominations: A Closed Shell, organised by Internews in Eldoret.

A headache

It brought together the IEBC, journalists, opinion leaders and officials of political parties.

Mudanya said IEBC would supervise the nominations to ensure they are free and fair. “We will then do reports based on nominations to assist incase of disputes,” he added.

URP’s Uasin Gishu Secretary General, Rehema Chemutai, said the party has attracted 400 aspirants for various county seats. She said the huge number of candidates presented a headache for the party, especially in managing complaints arising from the nominations.