IEBC sets new date for Homa Bay by-election

IEBC ballot boxes on July 24, 2013 before the Makueni Senate by-election. FILE PHOTO | JENNIFER MUIRURI |

What you need to know:

  • The IEBC has moved the date forward from February 2 to February 12, 2015.
  • Campaigns are to start on January 17 and end by February 10, 48 hours before the by-election.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has announced a new date for the Homa Bay Senate by-election.

Following the High Court order extending by 10 days the deadline for political parties to nominate candidates, the IEBC has moved the date forward from February 2 to February 12, 2015.

In a press release sent to newsrooms on Friday, the IEBC set December 27 as the deadline for party primaries. Nomination papers are to be delivered to the commission on January 15 and 16, 2015.

Campaigns are to start on January 17 and end by February 10, 48 hours before the by-election.

On Wednesday, Justice George Odunga moved the nominations deadline from December 19 to December 27.

The 10 days, beginning on Wednesday, were issued in an application filed by a voter, Mr Kenneth Ogola, who argued that the electoral commission's deadline was unfair, arbitrary and discriminatory.

He argued that it would not give the people of Homa Bay a fair chance to elect their new senator.

Justice Odunga dismissed the electoral commission's argument that an order of stay, even for a short period, would undermine its ability to conduct the by-election as envisaged by the law.