Ab-Titchaz
JF-Expert Member
- Jan 30, 2008
- 14,630
- 4,253
Presidential candidates officially on the ballot
By PETER OPIYO
Nairobi, Kenya: The race to succeed President Kibaki at State House kicks off officially today, after all the presidential candidates present their papers formally.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will conclude formal nomination of presidential candidates with the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) presidential candidate Raila Odinga and Jubilee Alliance's Uhuru Kenyatta presenting their papers. Their running mates Kalonzo Musyoka and William Ruto will accompany them.
Tuesday, four presidential candidates and their running mates were cleared and their names will be on the ballot paper for the March 4 General Election.
Narc-Kenya presidential candidate Martha Karua and her running mate Augustine Lotodo were the first to be cleared, followed by Eagle Alliance's Peter Kenneth alongside his deputy president nominee, Ronald Osumba. James ole Kiyiapi of Restore and Build Kenya and his running mate, Winnie Kaburu followed. Amani presidential candidate Musalia Mudavadi and his deputy presidential nominee, Jeremiah Kioni were also cleared.
Two other presidential nominees, Mohamed Dida of Alliance for Real Change and Safina's Paul Muite, will also present their nomination papers today.
The four secured IEBC's green light after abiding by the new electoral laws and can now hit the campaign trail.
Among the bundles of documents each submitted is a list of endorsements detailing at least 48,000 supporters from 24 counties.
The law provides a presidential candidate must have the support of at least 2,000 people in 24 counties. The names must be accompanied by national ID numbers of the supporters.
And given the design of the new ballot papers, the presidential candidates were also required to issue IEBC with their coloured passport size photos.
The presidential candidate and the running mate must possess a university degree and should produce original and certified copies of the same.
The candidates should also present a sworn affidavit from the Commissioner of Oaths, showing they do not owe allegiance to a foreign country. The Constitution does not allow a person with dual citizenship to contest any public office.
The candidates submitted their original national Identity Cards, evidence for registration as a voter, party nomination certificate and membership to the political party.
Other requirements were banker's cheques showing they paid Sh200,000 nomination fees to IEBC, a letter of resignation from public service (in case of a public officer) and a self-declaration form to comply with the Leadership and Integrity Act.
The Act requires one to declare whether they have had any criminal record or charged in a court of law. Public officers intending to vie were required to have resigned from Government by December 4.
Among the four, it was only Prof Kiyiapi who served as a public officer and he submitted his resignation letter as Education PS.
The candidates were also expected to give consent that they would comply with the electoral code of conduct and hand over campaign schedules for the next three weeks.
IEBC Chairman Issack Hassan led the team in verifying the requirements before announcing a candidate had been validly nominated.
After presenting their papers, the candidates asked the IEBC to ensure a level-playing field. Mr Kenneth protested some aspirants are still using public resources in their campaigns.
"I am aware State resources are being used by some candidates. We want a level-playing field and we want the elections conducted in a peaceful manner," said Kenneth.
Prof Kiyiapi complained about pollsters saying their opinion poll results do not reflect the reality.
"We urge IEBC to exercise its powers to ensure a level-playing field," he said.
Civic education
"The polls could render some irrelevant because if it is portrayed as a race of three individuals then it would make a mockery of democracy," he said. Kenneth also urged IEBC to conduct civic education for voters to make informed decisions.
"I think civic education is important so that people can take part in the elections and express their rights without fear," he said.
Karua also called for free and fair elections and expressed confidence of winning. "I am confident I will win and I am sure Kenyans would elect a woman as president," she said.
Mudavadi said Amani Coalition would desist from violent campaigns and urged the IEBC to ensure the elections are free and fair.
"We look forward to a free and fair process that would bring honour to the country locally and internationally...we intend to conduct our campaigns peacefully and disengage in activities that will undermine the democratic process," said Mudavadi.
Ahead of official campaigns, parties are required to submit to the IEBC by February 18, at least 14 days to the elections, names of one national chief agent and 47 county chief agents.
On the same day, IEBC will issue gazette notice on the finality of the principal register after close of the inspection period.
Aspirants for various elective positions are required to present their nomination papers before their names are included on the ballot papers.
Tomorrow and Friday, aspiring governors, senators and women representatives will appear before their county returning officers.
County Assembly aspirants and parliamentary candidates will present their papers to their constituency returning officers.
Standard Digital News - Kenya : Presidential candidates officially on the ballot
By PETER OPIYO
Nairobi, Kenya: The race to succeed President Kibaki at State House kicks off officially today, after all the presidential candidates present their papers formally.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will conclude formal nomination of presidential candidates with the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) presidential candidate Raila Odinga and Jubilee Alliance's Uhuru Kenyatta presenting their papers. Their running mates Kalonzo Musyoka and William Ruto will accompany them.
Tuesday, four presidential candidates and their running mates were cleared and their names will be on the ballot paper for the March 4 General Election.
Narc-Kenya presidential candidate Martha Karua and her running mate Augustine Lotodo were the first to be cleared, followed by Eagle Alliance's Peter Kenneth alongside his deputy president nominee, Ronald Osumba. James ole Kiyiapi of Restore and Build Kenya and his running mate, Winnie Kaburu followed. Amani presidential candidate Musalia Mudavadi and his deputy presidential nominee, Jeremiah Kioni were also cleared.
Two other presidential nominees, Mohamed Dida of Alliance for Real Change and Safina's Paul Muite, will also present their nomination papers today.
The four secured IEBC's green light after abiding by the new electoral laws and can now hit the campaign trail.
Among the bundles of documents each submitted is a list of endorsements detailing at least 48,000 supporters from 24 counties.
The law provides a presidential candidate must have the support of at least 2,000 people in 24 counties. The names must be accompanied by national ID numbers of the supporters.
And given the design of the new ballot papers, the presidential candidates were also required to issue IEBC with their coloured passport size photos.
The presidential candidate and the running mate must possess a university degree and should produce original and certified copies of the same.
The candidates should also present a sworn affidavit from the Commissioner of Oaths, showing they do not owe allegiance to a foreign country. The Constitution does not allow a person with dual citizenship to contest any public office.
The candidates submitted their original national Identity Cards, evidence for registration as a voter, party nomination certificate and membership to the political party.
Other requirements were banker's cheques showing they paid Sh200,000 nomination fees to IEBC, a letter of resignation from public service (in case of a public officer) and a self-declaration form to comply with the Leadership and Integrity Act.
The Act requires one to declare whether they have had any criminal record or charged in a court of law. Public officers intending to vie were required to have resigned from Government by December 4.
Among the four, it was only Prof Kiyiapi who served as a public officer and he submitted his resignation letter as Education PS.
The candidates were also expected to give consent that they would comply with the electoral code of conduct and hand over campaign schedules for the next three weeks.
IEBC Chairman Issack Hassan led the team in verifying the requirements before announcing a candidate had been validly nominated.
After presenting their papers, the candidates asked the IEBC to ensure a level-playing field. Mr Kenneth protested some aspirants are still using public resources in their campaigns.
"I am aware State resources are being used by some candidates. We want a level-playing field and we want the elections conducted in a peaceful manner," said Kenneth.
Prof Kiyiapi complained about pollsters saying their opinion poll results do not reflect the reality.
"We urge IEBC to exercise its powers to ensure a level-playing field," he said.
Civic education
"The polls could render some irrelevant because if it is portrayed as a race of three individuals then it would make a mockery of democracy," he said. Kenneth also urged IEBC to conduct civic education for voters to make informed decisions.
"I think civic education is important so that people can take part in the elections and express their rights without fear," he said.
Karua also called for free and fair elections and expressed confidence of winning. "I am confident I will win and I am sure Kenyans would elect a woman as president," she said.
Mudavadi said Amani Coalition would desist from violent campaigns and urged the IEBC to ensure the elections are free and fair.
"We look forward to a free and fair process that would bring honour to the country locally and internationally...we intend to conduct our campaigns peacefully and disengage in activities that will undermine the democratic process," said Mudavadi.
Ahead of official campaigns, parties are required to submit to the IEBC by February 18, at least 14 days to the elections, names of one national chief agent and 47 county chief agents.
On the same day, IEBC will issue gazette notice on the finality of the principal register after close of the inspection period.
Aspirants for various elective positions are required to present their nomination papers before their names are included on the ballot papers.
Tomorrow and Friday, aspiring governors, senators and women representatives will appear before their county returning officers.
County Assembly aspirants and parliamentary candidates will present their papers to their constituency returning officers.
Standard Digital News - Kenya : Presidential candidates officially on the ballot
