Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairman Wafula Chebukati addressing journalists at the Anniversary Towers, Nairobi, on March 24, 2017. [PHOTO/nation.co.ke]
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati has faulted the move by court to extend the time for political party primaries by five days.
He said the extra five days will eat into the period assigned to resolve disputes arising from the primaries.
Chebukati also took issues with the court's failure to hear them before granting the application submitted by a Non-Governmental Organisation yesterday Monday.
“That means there will be few days for dispute settlement, which is a special component of the primaries. What has been interfered with is the timelines for dispute resolution,” Chebukati said.
This comes a day after IEBC turned down a request by politicians to extend the deadline for the primaries citing a packed calendar.
Chebukati on Monday pointed out that the poll commission is the body mandated by the constitution to set timelines for party primaries.
He added that the Elections Act has put it clear that IEBC shall by notice specify the period of time within which all political parties must conduct their nominations.