Cord co-principals Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka now want the outgoing IEBC commissioners to vacate office for new officials to assume office on or before December 23.
The two opposition chiefs maintained Thursday that next year's elections must be held as the Constitution states, noting that they are aware of attempts and conspiracies being made to challenge the constitutionality of the Election Laws (Amendment) Act 2016.
They cited the reactionary changes to the law being proposed to Parliament and the statements by IEBC that certain provisions of the law are not achievable saying they will not condone such attempts.
The Act, they noted, was enacted unanimously without a single change, alteration or amendment and these attempts and conspiracies can only be geared towards frustrating the reforms.
"We shall accept no change, alteration or amendment. The law must be implemented as is," said the two leaders in a statement.
"No general elections will be held outside the Constitution and the law including Election Laws (Amendment) Act 2016," added the pair.
The Act only provides for a Commission comprising seven members with no transitional provisions enabling the Isaack Hassan team to remain in office as constituted prior to the enactment of the statute.
The two also want the retired commissioners to stop any activity or engagement in the name of IEBC with immediate effect, citing the award of tenders in respect of the 2017 general election, which they noted must be cancelled or frozen until the new commissioners assume office and all systems in regard thereto are in place.
"The IEBC is awarding tenders in respect of next year’s general elections, and in many instances, in a questionable manner and without following the law of the elections as presently established. There is a mad rush to deal with all the contracts and the award of tenders almost as an exercise of looting after a combat and an array of hostilities. But the fact of the matter is that the stage is being set for election rigging before new commissioners are appointed."
The removal of the commissioners, they noted, was founded on their lack of integrity and credibility and "their characters have been impugned in relation to several scandals including “Chickengate”", thus cannot continue to be in office and transact the business of the Commission.
At the same time, the opposition chiefs said they will not accept anything short of a comprehensive audit of the register of voters by a reputable firm procured competitively, and through a transparent process for verifying the accuracy of the register and to achieve a biometric voter registration.
"Extremely important enactments were statutory timelines for the conduct of an audit of the register of voters and its verification for accuracy; the appointment of Commissioners and the technical committee to oversee the acquisition of technology and the testing and deployment thereof; and the preparations and conduct of elections."
They said there must be only one single register of voters to be maintained in a public web portal for inspection by members of the public.
"The IEBC must maintain transparency, impartiality, neutrality and accountability in its duties and operations and work closely with all stakeholders including political parties in the spirit and the law regarding public participation," they added.
They said the polls must be free, fair and transparent. "The government must bear responsibility and burden of any danger to peace, law and order as choices have consequences," they added.
"We remain determined to protect, safeguard and uphold the Constitution and the rule of law and to strive for justice and peace within our borders," they said.