By NATION REPORTER
Posted Sunday, October 9 2011 at 19:55
Posted Sunday, October 9 2011 at 19:55
Pressure is piling on the Supreme Court to urgently determine the date of the next General Election before MPs amend the law.
Protestant churches have also opposed plans to change the date of elections to December from August. (READ:Cabinet moves to change Kenya's election date)
Lobby groups once again asked Chief Justice Willy Mutunga to fast track the hearing of the case as time was ticking away.
“The more we delay this ruling the more we will be taken in circles by politicians,” said Mr Morris Odhiambo, the National Civil Society Congress president.
“The CJ should urgently set up a bench that will rule on the matter before it is politicised,” he added.
The Interim Independent Electoral Commission has filed a case at the Supreme Court seeking the declaration of the date of next General Election after different opinions emerged over its interpretation on when the elections will be held under the new Constitution.
The Cabinet wants the election date moved from the second Tuesday of August to the third Monday of December every fifth year of the election cycle.
If Parliament amends the law, next year’s General Election will be held on December 17.
However, at a news conference yesterday, Mr Odhiambo said such an amendment was aimed at serving selfish interests.
“This is something that should not be done in a frivolous manner. We must uphold the supremacy of the Constitution,” he said.
However, the Constitution Implementation Commission has opposed the move by the Executive to move the election date and have also asked the Supreme Court to intervene.
CIC said MPs were avoiding the court for political expediency. The National Council of Churches has also opposed plans to amend the Constitution.
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