Parties rush to beat nominees’ deadline

Political parties are rushing to submit their nomination rules to beat Wednesday’s deadline.

Officials at the Registrar of Political Parties said the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), The National Alliance (TNA), the United Democratic Forum (UDF), United Republican Party (URP), Wiper Democratic Party (WDP), Narc Kenya, New Ford Kenya and Agano Party were among those that beat the deadline.

They are some of the parties that sought to revise the set of rules they had submitted at the end of June after the election date was moved to March 4, 2013.

“Most parties submitted their rules when the election date was thought to be in December. When the date was pushed to March, some withdrew the nominations for revision,” said Registrar of Political Parties Lucy Ndung’u.

Mrs Ndung’u said the deadline would not be extended, citing the tight timetable the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has set for the election.

She said political parties that missed the nominations rules deadline would be locked out. (READ: Ndung’u: Register by 17th or forget poll race)

She was, however, optimistic that all parties would beat the deadline. “I can confirm that most political parties have complied,” she said.

After Wednesday, aspirants whose parties fail to submit nomination rules will have to seek new parties to sponsor them.