ODM ponders review of elections policy

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party is considering direct nominations for its candidates in future elections in a bid to avoid chaotic primaries that have dogged it in the past.

The abandonment of party primaries, which is likely to create a debate especially on how the procedure will be carried out to ensure it is credible, could also be seen as an admission that their selection procedure has often been flawed.

But officials say the decision will follow adequate deliberations, more than three years before the next elections.

ODM has in the past carried out shambolic nominations with the scramble for tickets leaving the party and its supporters divided with candidates having spent a lot of money in a bid to woo voters.

AUDIT

Violent incidents during the primaries have also led to injuries and death of innocent voters. Many candidates also defected to other parties or went independent.

Senior officials who spoke to the Nation said the party will use scientific methods, including opinion polls, to help them identify suitable candidates.

Chairman John Mbadi said that, while he did not want to pre-empt the proposals in a report prepared by a task force established by the party, there were various ideas floated by members with regard to the nominations.

Ms Catherine Mumma of former Commission on Implementation of the Constitution was appointed on March 8 last year to chair the five-member task force which was to audit the performance of the party in the previous polls.

AGENDA

Other members included Mr Larry Gumbe, Mr Irshad Sumra (candidate for Embakasi South), Mr Alfelt Gunda and Mr Tony Moturi - who was named secretary.

Mr Mbadi revealed that the draft is ready and will be presented next week at a meeting where they are expected to adopt it.

“It is premature for me to reveal the details of the report but issues of finance with regard to nominations had been raised by members,” Mr Mbadi said.

According to Mr Mbadi, the team, which toured the country to collect views from members, was mandated to review and give recommendations on the party's legal, policy and institutional framework governing its electoral processes.