This archive report was first published on 17 September 2021.
On September 17, 2021, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) petitioned the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to be flexible with the nominations timelines.
Speaking to the media, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna expressed concerns that the time allocated by IEBC for party primaries and nominations was not sufficient for the party.
According to Sifuna, the IEBC had set April 9, 2022, as the last day for submitting names of party primaries to the electoral body, and holding party primaries between April 16 and April 22.
However, Sifuna noted that ODM is a big party with a large membership size, and one week was not enough for the party to hold party primaries effectively.
“Parties are not the same. ODM is unique as it is the largest party in the country, and so we will need more time to conduct free and fair elections across the country,” Sifuna concluded.
ODM has petitioned IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati to extend the timelines by 10 days, specifically adding days to the one week set to hold primaries.
IEBC had set a tight schedule for the party primaries, with candidates having until May 9 to decide whether they are still party members or quit, and by May 13, the electoral body will gazette all names of independent candidates.
