ODM drafts rules for primaries

ODM leader Raila Odinga (right) and Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka during the ODM National Delegates Conference at the Kasarani gymnasium on February 28, 2014. FILE PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• Chaos witnessed in the past blamed for quarrels in Cord’s main party.
• Nominations to be conducted three to six months to the General Election.

The Orange Democratic Movement has come up with nomination rules, which zone the country into three blocks.

The rules also recommend staggered primaries to be undertaken three to six months to the General Election.

The rules are meant to improve the management of party primaries believed to be the cause of internal fallouts before elections.

Cord principal Raila Odinga’s failure to capture the presidency in the past two elections has been blamed on disruptive primaries and national conspiracies.

The country has been split into three zones: A, B and C. The party strongholds have been captured under Zone B. These are Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Busia, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Narok, Kajiado, Mombasa counties. The others are Kwale, Kilifi, Taita-Taveta, Tana River, Trans Nzoia, Nairobi, Turkana and Samburu.

CLEAN SWEEP

Suna East MP Junet Mohammed said that with the rules in place ODM, planned a clean sweep in its strongholds and to have many members in the Governors’ Council, national and county assemblies.

“The rules are intended to help the party have clean nominations where losers can appreciate the winners and sufficient time allowed for reconciliation,” he said on Tuesday.

Mr Mohammed said ODM was keen on credible primaries and was following the example of successful parties, which conduct nominations before the polling day.

“The primaries shall be held at least six months before the date of the election in respect of Zone A and at least three months before the date of elections in respect of Zone B,” the document spelling out the rules, reads.

The party’s National Elections Board has the right to issue direct nominations in Zone C areas, according to the rules.

Cord parties are also working on a plan to avoid inter-party competition in their strongholds. The rules favour voting by secret ballot, either through universal suffrage or a sub-branch electoral college as guided by the NEB.

“The NEB shall conduct staggered nominations with regard to Zone B and shall delegate its commissioners to oversee the nomination in the electoral areas,” the document reads.

The rules are structured to protect winners from speculators.

“The NEB shall enter the name of the winner on the party list and the name shall not be removed except by the IEBC Complaints and Dispute Resolution Committee or an order of the High Court.”

A County Appeals Tribunal will handle complaints in wards and constituencies.

The National Appeals Tribunal will handle disputes arising from presidential, governor, senator and woman representative elections.