IEBC Commissioners after public hearing on Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2017 and the Election Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2017, October 5, 2017. [Photo|Parliament of Kenya]Reports indicate the Chairman of the Independent, Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Wafula Chebukati walked out of a crucial meeting with the body's commissioners, after they differed.Chebukati was leading the plenary meeting, at IEBC headquarters, Wednesday, to deliberate the impact, after NASA leader, Raila Odinga, withdrew his candidature from the October 26 fresh presidential race."However, after a lengthy haggling, the chairman ‘excused himself’ and left the meeting saying he had other commitments and asked CEO Ezra Chiloba to summarise what they had discussed and communicate to the country," reports the Standard.Commissioners Dr Roselyn Akombe and Margaret Mwachanya, followed Chebukati shortly after, leaving the other four.The local daily said Chebukati had introduced a proposal to change the elections date from October 26, only for the other six commissioners, to oppose.Chebukati pegged his argument on the 2013 Supreme Court president petition decision which said that if one candidate withdraws or dies before elections, IEBC should organise fresh elections in 90 days.However according to other commissioners, Odinga’s withdrawal was irregular since he was yet to sign Form 24A, as per the electoral laws.IEBC further declared that the election date would remain and that Odinga would be on the ballot.

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