FILE | NATION IEBC chairman Isaack Hassan (right) presents the revised preliminary report of the proposed boundaries of constituencies and wards to MPs.
By DAVE OPIYO dopiyo@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Friday, February 10 2012 at 22:30
Posted Friday, February 10 2012 at 22:30
IN SUMMARY
- Politicians and activists back call by elections boss to have coalition dissolved in October
The call on President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to dissolve the coalition government in October to pave way for elections this year has won praise from political leaders and the civil society.
On Friday, leaders welcomed the declaration by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chairman Isaack Hassan that he would petition the two principals to dissolve the coalition so that the polls can be held in December. (READ: Polls body calls for December vote date)
Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi said the elections boss had read the mood of the country ‘perfectly.’
“The proposal by the IEBC chair should be taken seriously so that elections can be held at the right time and in the correct manner. IEBC should also be given ample time to prepare for it,” Mr Mudavadi told theSaturday Nation on phone.
Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta also said he was ready for polls whatever time they are to be called.
Through his spokesman Munyori Buku, Mr Kenyatta said, “We are ready (for the elections) any time. Bring it on.”
Law Society of Kenya chairman Kenneth Akide said Kenyans would like to hold the General Election in December this year.
“It’s a reasonable compromise between August, which the Constitution has prescribed and March. The December date is agreeable to many Kenyans and it is the right way to go,” he said.
Mr Peter Aling’o, the Executive Director of the Institute for Education in Democracy, also supported the proposal.
Stretching imaginations
“He (the IEBC chairman) has come out in a sensible manner to clear the air on when elections should be held. December is the best time for elections to be held in the country. Taking it all the way to March will be stretching Kenyans imaginations,” he said.
Kiharu MP Muturi Mwangi asked President Kibaki and Mr Odinga to consider the advice of Mr Hassan and that of the High Court and have elections held in December.
He also hinted that a Bill by Justice and Constitution Minister Mutula Kilonzo to have the polls held in December was likely to get support in the House but questioned its importance.
“Many of my colleagues will support Mutula’s Bill although the question is: Is it any more important now?” he asked. He was speaking in his constituency when he donated six water tanks to schools
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