Court stops IEBC from printing LSK poll ballot papers
A Law Society of Kenya member casts his vote at a past election. The High Court on February 8, 2016 stopped IEBC from printing ballot papers for LSK elections set to be held on February 25, 2016. FILE PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NATION EMDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Mr Justice Korir directed LSK and IEBC to file their responses.
- The lawyers’ body had on September 17 last year issued a notice of elections.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has been temporarily stopped from printing ballot papers for the elections slated for next month.
Mr Justice Weldon Korir issued the order in an application filed by lawyer Frank Ochieng’ Walukwe.
The lawyer alleges that he has been prevented from contesting in the elections set for February 25, as a National Council Member of LSK, on claims that he is not eligible.
The lawyer has sued both the LSK and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), which will be conducting the elections.
“The court hereby issues orders stopping LSK from approving the printing of the final ballot before the matter is heard,” Mr Justice Korir.
The lawyers’ body had on September 17 last year issued a notice of elections requesting the nomination of candidates for election to the office of the president, vice president and council members of LSK.
Other positions included in the notice were for members of the National Office, the Disciplinary Tribunal, Chairperson and 10 members of the LSK Nairobi Branch and a representative of the LSK to the Judicial Service Commission.
Mr Walukwe said in his court papers that he completed the nomination papers for the position of Council Member, National Office and returned them to the CEO of the LSK, and was shortlisted on November 24 the same year.
He however claims that despite his eligibility, LSK’s governing council has purported to reach a decision to the effect that he is not eligible to contest for the seat he is seeking.
Mr Justice Korir directed LSK and IEBC to file their responses.
The case will be heard on February 10.
