IEBC: Gazetted Returning Officers to Run Repeat Poll

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 25 2017
   
Wafula Chebukati (right), the chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, with its vice-chairperson Consolata Maina. The commission says repeat poll will go on as planned. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary
Justice George Odunga ruled that the appointment of the returning officers in all the 291 constituencies—including the diaspora— was outside the law.

IEBC argued that High Court did not quash the poll officials’ appointment in its ruling.

By IBRAHIM ORUKO

The electoral commission says the Thursday repeat presidential election will go on despite High Court finding that its 290 returning officers were illegally appointed.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Wednesday said the presiding officers and their deputies will conduct the election.

GAZETTE

It argued that High Court did not quash the poll officials’ appointment in its ruling.

Justice George Odunga ruled that the appointment of the returning officers in all the 291 constituencies—including the diaspora— was outside the law.

However, the judge declined to quash the gazette notice on the appointment of the election managers.

“The order sought before Judge Odunga was for the cancellation of the appointment of returning officers and their deputies, which has been declined,” the commission said through its Twitter handle.

It added: “The returning officers and their deputies’ appointment has not been quashed. Their appointment is still valid.”

The case was filed by Mr Khelef Khalifa, the director at Muslim for Huma Rights, who is also part of the team seeking to stop the Thursday repeat presidential election at the Supreme Court.