An Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) ballot box. [Photo/capitalfm.co.ke]
President Uhuru Kenyatta Jubilee’s party has been directed to conduct fresh nominations in Budalangi constituency, Busia county, within three days.
High Court Judge Jessie Lessit quashed an earlier decision by the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT) to cancel the nomination certificate issued to Alfred Juma Maloba by Jubilee party, and instead handed it to his competitor Mediatrice Wangira.
Jubilee has also been asked to comply with its Constitution and election laws in nominating its candidate to contest for the Budalangi parliamentary seat in the upcoming august 8 polls.
“The party appears to be confused by issuing double nomination certificates to two candidates to represent them for the same seat. That is irregular. Further, it is the party which is the custodian of the nomination exercise results. It ought to sort out its mess through its internal disputes resolution mechanisms,” said Justice Lessit, Tuesday.
“It is difficult to understand from this record the basis upon which the PPDT decided who should have the Jubilee party’s nomination certificate for Budalangi constituency. It is the duty of the party to nominate its representative at the national elections. It cannot be determined by the PPDT especially where the results of the nomination exercise was not even before the tribunal,” added the Lessit.