Rifts in IIEC threat to 2012 poll plans
Ballot boxes that were used in the 2007 general elections. At the centre of controversy is the fate of the current commissioners and the secretariat once the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is established to replace the IIEC. Photo/FILE
Preparations to hold the next General Election on August 14, 2012, are ongoing despite internal rifts in the electoral team.
The Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) has prepared a draft roadmap for the enactment of laws that make it possible for August 14, 2012, to be the elections day as per the new Constitution.
The Bills are the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Bill, the Elections Bill and the Political Parties (Amendment) Bill.
At the centre of controversy is the fate of the current commissioners and the secretariat once the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is established to replace the IIEC.
The draft – which has been submitted to Justice minister Mutula Kilonzo by a section of the commissioners and forwarded to the Office of the President, Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Attorney-General Amos Wako – also indicates that a new commission secretary and support staff will be recruited at the same time.
It is this proposal that has driven a wedge between current commission secretary James Oswago and a section of commissioners among them Ms Winnie Guchu and Mr Davis Chirchir.
This has prompted Mr Kilonzo to warn the commissioners against engaging in conflicts at a time when the enactment of wide- ranging electoral Bills is crucial.
“The country doesn’t deserve these petty differences. This is an election timetable and we have to market it. If a conflict erupts from that, it is very unfortunate. If that is the case, they can give me two proposals but better still they can give me one.”
Avoid a crisis
On Wednesday, Mr Chirchir said despite their arguments over the exact date of the next elections, the commission had drawn up the timetable to avoid a crisis in case August 14, 2012, is the elections day.
“Unless we expedite the process (of enacting laws), implementation of all items we have listed could delay and result in a constitutional crisis. We are not talking about the jobs of people here,” he said.
But Mr Oswago said: “Article 31 of the Transitional Clauses says staff of the IIEC will automatically become staff of the IEBC.”
