ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga with some ODM-allied MPs at a past function/ FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 7 – Members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) seeking to be nominated as party candidates for next year’s elections have until end of Wednesday to submit their applications to the party.
Secretary of the ODM National Elections Board Joseph Misoi on Tuesday said in a statement that the exercise which has been ongoing for the past two months comes to a close at 5PM on Wednesday.
“So far thousands of party members have shown interest in vying for the seats of Governor, Senator, Member of the National Assembly, Women Representative and County Representative from all corners of the country. Those who have not submitted theirs should do so by the close of business Wednesday,” said the statement.
Misoi has assured all the party members that the process of nominating party candidates for various positions shall be carried out in a transparent and fair manner and in accordance with the party’s new elections and nomination rules adopted by the National Governing Council (NGC) two weeks ago.
Among changes adopted at the NGC was the removal of a clause in the party constitution that gave the Party Leader the automatic nomination for the presidency.
The NGC also resolved to convert the National Delegates Conference (NDC) to an electoral college with the mandate to nominate the party’s presidential candidate.
Despite the amendments to the constitution to open up its presidential nomination race no ODM member has come out to challenge Raila Odinga in the race for presidential nominations.
On Elections and Nominations Rules, it was adopted that a hybrid of either the electoral college of delegates or universal suffrage will be used in the nomination of candidates for county representatives, MP, Senator, Governor and women representative.
The power to decide on the method to be used in the nomination of the above named candidates was vested in the National Executive Committee.
ODM also resolved to mandate its NEC to appoint five-member County Elections Coordinating Panels which will oversee the nominations in counties and set three-week timelines for resolution of election disputes.
Among high profile battles expected during the nominations will be the race for Siaya County senate pitting Finance Assistant Minister Oburu Odinga and Lands Minister James Orengo.
Former CEO of the Mumias Sugar Company Evans Kidero last week presented his papers seeking nomination for the post of Nairobi County Governor.
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