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Bomachoge, Shinyalu constituencies go to the polls on August 27
- Details
- Published on Thursday, 18 June 2009 06:13
Mr Ahmed Issack Hassan, the IIEC chairman, said political parties willing to field candidates in the two constituencies must finalise nominations on or before July 31. "Parties will then submit nomination papers for their respective candidates between August 3 and August 4," said Hassan.
He said voter registration will commence immediately in the two electoral areas and transparent ballot boxes will be used. Pundits say the elections will be an acid test for the commission.Returning officers have been appointed. These are Mr Thomas Aggrey Okila Ingolo for Bomachoge and Silvanus Nyamora for Shinyalu.
Officers’ terms
Hassan also confirmed that the terms of service for the commissioners are not ready yet and that talks on the same were ongoing. Hassan spoke after meeting President Kibaki at his Harambee House Office.Kibaki expressed confidence that the newly constituted electoral body will strive to fulfill its mandate.
The President challenged the commissioners to acquaint themselves with outstanding electoral processes from other countries in the world to assist them in executing of their mandate. The Bomachoge seat fell vacant following nullification of Mr Joel Onyancha’s election, while the Shinyalu vacancy was occasioned by the death of MP Charles Lugano.
Hassan said the they would recruit other officers by Friday. "Our challenge is getting funds and sufficient staff," he said, adding the commission was aware of the possibility of importation of voters. He said existing registers would help prevent the problem. "Even though we are new, we are confident of conducting a free and fair exercise," he said.
