ODM suspends grassroots elections

Written By:Sylvster Ruto,    Posted: Thu, Jun 30, 2011

The party grassroots elections were scheduled to commence on Friday 1st July 2011 The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has accused the judiciary stopping party elections at the last minute without considering the cost involved in planning. Addressing the press at Orange house Thursday, deputy party leader Mr. Musalia Mudavadi called on the judiciary to desist from making last minute rulings saying it makes it difficult to launch an appeal. However, Mudavadi said that the party will adhere to the court ruling. "Unfortunately - and even though we are ready and eager to hold our grassroots elections - the ODM respects the courts, adheres strictly to the rule of law and constitutionalism, and therefore cannot ignore the court order" said the DPM. Mr. Mudavadi who is also the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government appealed to the court to expedite the proceedings of the case barring ODM elections for the party to move forward with its plans. The party grassroots elections were scheduled to commence on Friday 1st July 2011 but high court judge Jeane Gacheche issued temporary injunction halting the polls until the case is heard and determined. Two ODM members moved to court to stop the election seeking an interpretation of the constitution on political party leadership.   Mudavadi regretted that "that ODM members with ample opportunity to address whatever issues they might have through the normal Party channels and structures as provided for by the Political Parties Act and the Party Constitution chose to initiate legal action at the last minute without notice to the Party". Mr. Mudavadi at the same said the interpretation of the Constitution is not in the purview of the Commission on the Implementation of the Constitution, the Attorney General or the Registrar of Political Parties saying it is the responsibility of the Supreme Court. "The mandate of the CIC is to look at the laws that are enacted by Parliament in respect to the implementation of the Constitution and not its interpretation" said Mr. Mudavadi. Party Secretary General Prof. Anyang' Nyong'o said the interpretation of the Constitution must be fair. "Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers are two different things" said the Medical Services Minister. Present at the Press Conference were Cabinet Ministers James Orengo, Mohammed Elmi and Amerson Kingi and Assistant Minister Manyala Keya. National Elections Board Chairman Eng. Philip Okundi and Secretary to the Board Dr. Joseph Misoi, party officials and members from across the country among others. Meanwhile, the National Elections Board of the ODM has officially announced the suspension of the grassroots elections scheduled to start on Friday due to the Court Order prohibiting the party from carrying on with the exercise. A statement signed by the Board Chairman Eng. Philip Okundi and his Secretary Dr. Joseph Misoi said in part that " the Board calls upon all the Returning Officers to immediately surrender all election documents, application forms and finances to the National Elections Board Headquarters at Orange House in Nairobi.