Political Parties' Nomination Disputes To be Solved At The Regional Level
Political parties' nomination disputes will now be solved efficiently at the regional level after the decentralization of the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP).
Assistant registrar of political parties Ali Abdullahi also revealed that, the PPDT membership has also been expanded from the current six to 18 to fast-track the hearing of the disputes.
He said the tribunal members who will serve for one year period will conduct sittings in different regions to handle parties' nomination disputes.
"The recruitment of the membership has kicked off and we expect to constitute the team that will handle any dispute arising from the nomination exercise," added Abdullahi.
He further stated that the PPDT sittings will be held in Mombasa, Kisumu, Garissa, Nakuru, Nyeri, Kakamega, Embu, and Nakuru where the tribunal will hear and determine disputes of political parties nominations held at counties, constituencies, and wards levels.
The ORPP Thursday conducted a national wide sensitization forum with candidates eyeing elective positions to familiarize them with the political parties' act 2021.
Mr. Abdullahi told hundreds of aspirants gathered at Prideinn flamingo Beach Resort that the new law has empowered ORPP to regularize the affairs of elections in the country.
The laws which replaced the Political Parties Act of 2011 introduced the concept of coalition political parties, outlining functions of political parties as well as changing the criteria of assessing the Political Parties Fund.
Ali further told the candidates that the law also empowers ORPP to certify political party membership lists and nomination rules to ensure only eligible individuals are nominated.
While taking the aspirants through the different regulatory frameworks, the assistant registrar of political parties directed the politicians to ensure compliance throughout the electioneering period.
Mombasa County Commissioner Lucas Katee told the aspirants to conduct peaceful campaigns without inciting the residents adding that those found violating the laws will be apprehended.
Katee told reporters that security agencies have been directed to deal with any violence before, during, and after elections and told the politicians to control their supporters.
"No individuals will be allowed to carry any form of weapon to the campaign rallies. An election is a process where electorates elect their leaders and as leaders, they have to engage in healthy and peaceful campaigns with the main focus of ensuring they win over the majority of supporters and not to engage in violence," he added.
The County commissioner further told the politicians that a peaceful election is important for the county and the Coast region which depends on the tourism sector.
Tags:
