IEBC opposes petition seeking to postpone 2022 General elections

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Milimani Law Courts

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has opposed a petition by a former nominated senator Paul Njoroge Ben seeking to postpone the 2022 General election.

Through Ag. Deputy Commission Secretary and Director Finance Obadiah Keitany, the commission told the court that the former senator has deliberately distorted or failed to disclose material facts in order to mislead the court.

According to IEBC, the timelines set by the constitution and Election Act cannot be varied or extended by any court adding that the presidential election cannot be separated from other elections including Members of parliament, Governors and Members of County Assembly. They should be held on the same day. 

“The presidential election scheduled for August 9, 2022 cannot be isolated from the general elections to be conducted in respect of the nomination and elections on other elective seats,”  said Keitany. 

On the issue of failing to have a substantive Chief Executive Officer, the commission blamed various court orders blocking the recruitment.

“Efforts to recruit a CEO have been thwarted by a series of court injunctions which restrained IEBC from proceeding with the intended recruitment,” added Keitany.