IEBC appeals Court decision on Kigame’s presidential bid
IEBC appeals Court decision on Kigame’s presidential bid
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has filed an appeal to challenge a decision by the High court to include Reuben Kigame in Presidential ballot papers for August 9 general election.
In a statement issued Wednesday, IEBC argued that the Judgement by Justice Antony Mrima presents a number of setbacks such as interfering with timelines for the conduct of Presidential elections.
https://www.kbc.co.ke/high-court-orders-iebc-to-accept-kigames-nomination-papers/
The poll body further stated that Kigame only presented a list of 1, 013 supporters as at 25th May, 2022 as opposed to 48,000 supporters as required by law.
“The requirement to be nominated by at least 48,000 supporters is a constitutional requirement whose non-compliance renders the nomination papers invalid,” IEBC argued
“The Commission has not had sight of any other list of supporters adverted to the in the Court’s Judgement and is not aware that the list of supporters was presented before the Honourable Court.”
IEBC asserts that the inclusion of a new candidate and his running mate on the ballot paper will require a reprograming of the Candidates Registration Management System (CRMS) for registration and ballot proofing as well as the reprograming of the Results Transmission System (RTS) to include the candidate and his running mate.
With just 19 days to the elections, commission will also need to recall and reprograming of all the 55,650 KIEMS kits to be used in the 47 Counties and the Diaspora which will have to be reconfigured.
“The printer of the ballot papers will have to redesign the printing template to include the new candidate and his running mate; the reprinting, repackaging and eventual rebooking and rescheduling of flights to deliver the pallets to the central warehouse which the printer confirms will not be possible in time for the general elections slated for the 9th of August, 2022,” argued IEBC
IEBC also noted that inclusion of Kigame on the ballot would interfere with the Commission’s budget.
“The cost of printing new ballot papers and rescheduling freight is not less than eight (8) million euros (approximately Kshs. 971million). This amount is not in the Commission’s election budget. The said processes, subject to availability of the budget, require a minimum of thirty (30) days, yet we are at nineteen (19) days to the general election”
