ODM seeks more time from IEBC to pick Homa Bay senatorial candidate

The Orange Democratic Movement’s national executive committee has asked the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to give the party more time to pick a candidate for the Homa Bay senatorial by-election set for February 2, 2015.

The request comes after ODM failed to select a candidate through a delegates process on Monday, when goons disrupted the event, forcing the party to call of the exercise.

The party’s secretary-general, Mr Ababu Namwamba, said that the December 19 deadline set by the IEBC was limiting the party as well as its followers who might be interested in exercising their democratic right in electing a candidate of their choice.

Mr Namwamba was speaking at a press conference in Kisumu that was as also addressed by party chairman John Mbadi, ODM Director of Elections Junet Mohamed and Kabondo Kasipul MP Silvance Osele.

(READ: Shots fired, panic as ODM poll disrupted)

TWO WEEKS ENOUGH

The leaders said a period of two to three weeks will be sufficient for the party's National Elections Board (NEB) to organise a repeat nomination exercise.

Mr Namwamba challenged the IEBC to clarify its intentions when it gave parties such a short period to select candidates for the Homa Bay mini polls.

He said the short period does not allow party members ample time to decide who to field for the race.

“We are blaming the IEBC for making it impossible for parties to demonstrate that commitment. There is so much time on our side.

"Why push the nominations for December 19 when the elections are set for February (2015)?” he asked.

He said there should not be any reason for the IEBC to reject the party's request for more time since the choice of the delegates system was settled as the party felt it were pressed for time.

The ODM secretary-general condemned the incident in Homa Bay, saying candidates found culpable for the act would be barred from the repeat exercise should the IEBC grant the party’s request.

“We cannot condone lawlessness. We cannot condone hooliganism. We cannot condone conduct that besmirches the good name of the party,” he said, adding that more stern action would be taken against the persons who planned and executed Monday’s disruptions.

DISRUPTION AN INSULT TO ODM

“ODM will not allow such heinous acts of violence.

"We hereby assure ODM followers in Homa Bay and across the country that there will be no room for disruption of such critical party activities,” Mr Namwamba said.

“This was an insult to the party, its leader Raila Amolo Odinga, the departed Senator Gerald Otieno Kajwang, who was a party stalwart and the new national executive committee,” he added.

“We are projecting our party in what it truly is and we will not hesitate to take disciplinary measures against the culprits of such lawlessness. Let those responsible be warned,” Mr Namwamba reiterated.

ODM chairman John Mbadi said the delegates system had been agreed upon through consultations with the candidates.

He said the NEB consulted the candidates and agreed on a list of delegates and a system for conducting the polls.

“Prior to the chaos that erupted in Homa Bay, there were signs of malpractices such as transporting and taking delegates to undisclosed places. This will be investigated and the people responsible will be barred from participating in ODM affairs,” Mr Mbadi said.

He added that the newly created NEB was out to clean the old ways of doing things that had cost the party in elections.

“The new team is out to do things differently. If anyone has anything disputable, let them come out other than cause chaos to tarnish the name of the new team,” the Suba MP said.

Mr Mohamed, the Suna East MP, said the NEB would write to the IEBC and ask for an extension of the nomination period so party followers could participate in the primaries through universal suffrage.

ACTS UNACCEPTABLE

“We request our members to conduct themselves with decorum when the primaries are conducted afresh. Yesterday’s acts are unacceptable and intolerable.

"All party members will therefore, in the new polls, have the chance to pick a senatorial candidate in the most transparent and credible manner,” said Mr Mohamed.

Members of the executive said they have the capacity to conduct free and fair primaries not only in Homa Bay but also across the country.

They said the new team must not be judged by the incident of January 2013, when primary elections did not go well.

The leaders further challenged their competitors not to focus on ODM's affairs and to nominate candidates who would vie for the seat.

“Let us not be subjective to ODM when it comes to nominations.

"We have not heard anyone asking when URP, TNA and other parties will conduct nominations for the seat,” said Mr Mohamed.