ODM party members from Kisumu west have protested over the recent grassroots elections terming it as ‘boardroom selection’ and called for fresh exercise.
The members said they are disappointed with the manner in which the entire exercise of election was conducted on October 3, 4 and 5.
They called for a repeat to avoid two parallel office holders that might allow other parties to infiltrate the region.
“We expected a fair and open election for betterment of the party. That never happened as there was interest by individual,” said Jackson Modi, ODM chairman, Kisumu West Sub County.
He said there were no presiding officers in some polling stations that denied their constitutional and democratic rights to participate in the elections.
He said the affected stations were Bonde, Wachara, Bar Union, Geta, Gee, Dago Kokore, Obede and Sidika in North Ward.
In South West Ward, members without ODM party cards were denied an opportunity to participate in the election by being sent away.
The stations affected were Uradi, Sabako, Osiri, Ogal, Rari, Nyanginja, Lisuka, Usare, Rota, Ojolla, Ongalo and Kibwayi.
In a protest letter dated October 6, to party’s national election board chairperson Judith Pareno, Modi alleged that election exercise was stage managed by NEC member Rosa Buyu.
He said Buyu took the whole responsibility of the presiding officer by overseeing the elections at Uradi, Obambo and Kibwayi polling stations.
Modi, who is the incumbent chairman, said that elections never took place in stations such as Resort Centre, Esivalu, Nametsa and Eluhobe in North West ward.
He noted that elections at the ward levels were chaotic at Obambo, Huma and Resort centres.
“Many people were ferried in lorries and buses which saw numerous cases of forged names without correction detected,” Modi said.
He further cited voter bribery where some agents were dishing out money at Resort centre to influence voters.
This, he said, resulted to a fight where some people ended up in hospitals with others arrested by police.
Modi said at Kibwayi polling station, Buyu insisted that Evans Osula must vie for the position of chairperson for the youth.
Buyu termed the allegations baseless and witch-hunt saying the election reflects the will of the party members.
“In the history of ODM party, the exercise in Kisumu West was one of the most peaceful ever,” she said.