ODM begins plans for party elections, asks aspirants to apply

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has started plans for grassroots elections in seven counties.

According to Ms Judith Pareno, the chairman of the National Elections Board, all prospective aspirants for the various party positions are required to submit their application forms to the respective party offices by July 16.

The party will hold elections first in Kilifi, Nairobi, Vihiga, Kajiado, Marsabit, Wajir and Migori between July 30 and August 3 in a staggered exercise.

“The civic education exercise will be conducted for MPs, senators, governors and constituency officials from July 6 to July 11,” said Ms Pareno on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference at Orange House, she said the voter register would be closed on July 16.

COMPETITIVE ELECTIONS

She said all aspirants would be treated equally, adding that the elections are expected to be competitive.

ODM executive director Oduor Ong’wen said the party had no problems with the membership register, saying the only issue was with the delegates' register, which was last updated in November 2011 when the party last held grassroots elections.

“What was in contention was not members of ODM but rather delegates from various branches,” he said.

Mr Ong’wen also denied reports by the Institute for Education in Democracy, which indicated that most parties, including ODM, do not have offices in counties as required by the law.

“We have functional offices in more than 36 counties and in more than 127 constituencies,” added the ODM party official.

He also said the government should support political parties run offices by providing the allocations required by the law.