Party primaries enter day two

Written By:KBC Reporters ,    Posted: Fri, Jan 18, 2013

ODM party which said it had successfully carried its nominations in most of the counties on Thursday Party primaries entered the second day Friday with  all three major parties including The National Alliance (TNA), United Republican party (URP)  and Wiper democratic party commencing their nominations at 6am this morning after extending their  primaries by a day following a delay in delivery of nomination papers to polling centers on Thursday. ODM party which said it had successfully carried its nominations in most of the counties on Thursday and were Friday morning repeating the exercise in Migori, Homa Bay and some wards in Kisumu County after reports of major nomination malpractices. URP and TNA nominations in Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet and Nandi counties were underway at 6am. While TNA nominations kicked off in Kirinyaga at 9am. However in Kiambu county problems persisted as the name of a TNA women representative aspirant was said to be missing on the ballot papers. Voting went well in Kangema amid low voter turnout. However, nominations in parts of Murang'a began as late as 11am. The parties had directed the polling stations be closed by noon but that was yet to happen as some areas in kiambu and murang'a county voting is still going on. Meanwhile, Scores of people are treating injuries following nomination fracas caused by supports of aspirants varying for various political seats at Nasewa polling stations in Matayos constituency Busia County. The chaos started after an MP aspirant stormed the said polling station claiming that the nomination exercise were not conducted in a transparent manner. Among the injured was a 60 year old woman who broke her hand when she was trampled on by other voters. Ballot papers were destroyed during the chaos. Similar incidents were reported at various polling stations among them Khwirale in Nambale constituency, chakol, Butula constituency and at Bundalangi Primary in Bundalangi constituency where aspirants exchanged blows. Elsewhere, Public schools remain closed for the second day Friday to allow parties complete nominations. Head of Civil Service Francis Kimemia overturned an earlier directive by the Permanent Secretary, Basic Education Prof George Godia that schools would reopen. No further closure will be allowed, Mr Kimemia said. The major political parties comprising of ODM, TNA, Wiper and URP extended their primaries to today following challenges in delivering material to polling stations. The parties requested the government to extend the closure of primary schools which are used for the nominations to complete the primaries. Kimemia also said parties should conduct their primaries in an orderly and peaceful manner. He urged them to maintain the momentum and preach peace during the General Election, which will determine the country's next on March 4.