ODM Rejects Uhuru's Controversial Bill on Elections

Junet Mohamed, the National Assembly Minority Whip and an ODM veteran, slammed the proposal, claiming that the manual form of vote counting is prone to errors and that by moving in that path, the country would be abandoning technical advances already made.

“We are not supporting the Elections (Amendment) Bill that is taking us back to the manual system of tallying which is open to manipulation and errors. The country has invested heavily in electronic systems. We can only improve on it but not revert to the manual,” expressed Junet through his social media platforms.

Amos Kimunya, the National Assembly's Leader of Majority and a Kipipiri MP, made it clear that the modifications came from President Uhuru Kenyatta's ruling party.

The Bill also seeks to repeal a requirement that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) make polling station results available on an online portal, in addition to forbidding live streaming of preliminary results.

It also aims to include a provision requiring the IEBC chairman to declare the presidential election winner only after all of the results have been tabulated from all of the constituencies.

The Bill has sparked outrage among MPs affiliated with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), a party led by Deputy President William Ruto, who have described it as a regressive step that reverses the country's democratic advances.

“The never-ending onslaught through election law amendments is a choreographed attempt to install a puppet on the Kenyan electorate and sabotage our freedom of choice and hard-earned democracy. The plan is evil and must fail. The people have resoundingly said HATUPANGWINGWI,” stated the Deputy President on his social platforms.

The Bill is expected to be on the agenda when the Parliament resumes its sitting next Tuesday.