Tuesday, June 19, 2012

MPs seek posts for president bid losers


MPs seek posts for president bid losers

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Nambale MP Chris Okemo. Photo/FILE
Nambale MP Chris Okemo. Photo/FILE 
By NJERI RUGENE nrugene@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Monday, June 18  2012 at  22:30
MPs are plotting to give presidential candidates in the General Election a safe landing by ensuring those seeking the presidency are also eligible to contest other seats and get nominated to Parliament.
The elections law restricts those seeking the presidency to that elective post only.
However, some MPs now want provisions of the Elections Act 2011, either suspended or changed to allow presidential candidates to also contest parliamentary seats and get nominated by their political parties as MPs or Senators.
The politicians want the changes effected through the Statute Law (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2012, expected to be debated and concluded today during an extended sitting to deal with key constitutional implementation Bills.
Some MPs also want the education limits for qualifications to Parliament and civic seats reviewed.
The elections law requires qualified candidates to possess post-secondary school qualifications from institutions recognised by the government.
Presidential candidates and their running mates are required to have a degree from a recognised university
Nambale MP Chris Okemo suggests that if the President and the deputy are successful in both the top seat and any other, they will relinquish the lesser seat.
If proposals by Garsen MP Danson Mungatana to review Section 34 (9) of the Elections Act are approved, unsuccessful presidential candidates can be nominated to Parliament, Senate or County assemblies.
Vihiga MP Yusuf Chanzu wants serving MPs and councillors exempted from educational qualifications in defending their.
However, Nominated MP Amina Abdalla has suggested that certificates attained in less than three months of study be rejected while Gachoka MP Mutava Musyimi wants MPs allowed to defect to other parties.

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