The ODM Party on Wednesday evening announced their next move after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declared their upcoming party nominations illegal.
In a statement sent to the press, ODM National Elections Board (NEB) Chairperson Judith Pareno mentioned that the party would proceed with its nomination as scheduled except for areas facing logistical challenges.
"Preparations for the primaries are in top gear and all the logistics are in place in readiness for the exercise. The board wishes to advise all the aspirants and members that the nominations shall proceed as scheduled save for Busia, Bungoma and Machakos Counties whose dates were pushed forward by a day from 7th to 8th April to give room for closure of schools," Pareno stated.
Pareno noted that the party had consulted with the IEBC prior to coming up with the nomination schedule and had received a nod urging them to carry on with their staggered party primaries as scheduled.
"On the 6th of January 2017, the NEB met with IEBC officials led by Cheif Executive Officer Mr Ezra Chiloba to discuss the staggered nominations in accordance with the party elections and nominations rule.
"The IEBC having listened to the board's request demanded that the request be put in writing. On 25th January 2017, the party submitted the written elections and nominations rules as directed.
"On 31st January 2017, the IEBC wrote to the party giving the go ahead to hold the nominations as per the proposal. Pursuant to the arrangement, the board started the preparations for the primaries by submitting the list of aspirants together with a schedule of nomination dates as approved for by the law," Pareno's statement read in part.
Ms Pareno further noted that the party was shocked and surprised by Chebukati's announcement indicating that the party nominations were illegal in spite of an earlier letter from Mr Chiloba giving the board a nod to carry on with the nominations.
On Wednesday, IEBC Chair Wafula Chebukati declared ODM nominations illegal on grounds that the party had not submitted it's list of participants as gazetted.
According to Chebukati, the polls body would publish the names of all aspirants on April 12, therefore, any nominations should take place after that date.
ODM had planned to run its primaries from Saturday, April 7 to April 23.
