Raila: Supreme Court will determine election date

By ANDERSON OJWANG’

Homa Bay County

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said the Supreme Court will interpret the date for the next General Election once it is duly constituted.

Raila called for an end to the ongoing debate on the date for elections, saying that the Supreme Courtwill give the correct interpretation of the Constitution.

"Once the dispute on the composition of the Supreme Court is resolved, we will be advised by the court on the correct position and date for the General Election. We should allow the law to take its course," he said.

Legal experts have differed on when the next election will be held. Some say they will be held next year while others argue the polls should be held in 2013.

The PM said the Supreme Court will have the final say on the matter.

"We should be patient to allow the dispute on the Supreme Court to be resolved. We must be ready to give the courts opportunity to guide us on some important constitutional matters," said Raila who was speaking at a burial ceremony in Ndhiwa Constituency.

Raila Odinga expressed confidence that he will put up a formidable fight in next year’s presidential elections.

He advised members of the Luo community to be accommodative and guard against prejudice and arrogance towards other communities.

Address issues

He told the youth to register in large numbers when the Government starts issuing identity cards this month.

"I want those who do not have national identity cards to get them so that we can go to polls prepared. I am prepared for this battle and I want you to be ready to support me," he said.

Raila said when elected president, he would serve all the communities uniformly and he will uphold the Constitution.

He urged leaders to unite the nation. "Ethnic chauvinism must be stopped. All tribes should be treated as equal for the country to progress," he said.

Raila asked his political competitors to address issues facing the country instead of attacking him.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by his wife Ida, ODM Nyanza co-ordinator Monica Amolo and for