Delegates allied to the Orange Democratic Movement in Kwale County have reverted back to the old system of mlolongo (queuing) to carry out their party nomination in April.
Speaking after meeting ODM's executive Director Mr Odour Ong'wen, Kwale branch vice-chair Mr Nicholas Zani stated that the decision to use mlolongo had been brought about by lessons from a similar exercise in 2013.
Zani stated that the secret ballot system was prone to abuse, manipulation and logistically complex to undertake and had presented a myriad of challenges for the party countrywide.
He added that the results from the secret ballot ended up being a sham and failed to present the true aspirations of the people.
Zani together with other officials also demanded that Mr Ongw’en and his team ensure that party primaries in Kwale are held on the same date with those in Mombasa and Kilifi to avoid rigging and voter importation.
The vice-chair also announced other deliberations that passed a resolution that all Returning and Presiding Officers shall be chosen by aspirants on a pro rata basis with each of the 20 wards having five polling stations.
Ong’wen on his part reassured the branch officials that the decision to use Mlolongo system was done in good faith to safeguard the wishes of the members and to enhance accountability.
He added that the party was committed to holding free, fair and transparent elections and no preferential treatment would be accorded to any individual.
The decision by ODM brings back memories of past attempts to use mlolongo system mostly by the former ruling party, KANU in 1988 elections.
It was characterised by having voters queue behind the image of their favoured candidates. They were then counted physically with the person having a majority behind him/her, declared the winner.
It was however marred by massive rigging, voting malpractices, voter intimidation and abuse of state power in elections.
