Raila withdraws from repeat presidential election
Nasa presidential candidate Raila Odinga on Tuesday withdrew his candidature in the October 26 repeat presidential elections.
The flag bearer made the announcement flanked by his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka and co-principals Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetangula.
Mr Odinga said the decision was arrived at after the electoral commission failed to comply with the requirements made by the opposition and in line with the Supreme Court ruling that nullified the presidential election.
“Instead, the case for proceeding with the fresh election on 26 October without these changes is being made on the grounds of time constraints. Jubilee and the other proponents of an election without reforms are saying “bora uchaguzi” (any election will do). But we in Nasa are calling for “uchaguzi bora” (a credible election),” he said.
IRREDUCIBLE MINIMUM
Mr Odinga said the deliberations with the commission were fruitless and time wasting as the irreducible minimums were not being considered.
“We have come to the conclusion that there is no intention on the part of the IEBC to undertake any changes to its operations and personnel to ensure that the “illegalities and irregularities” that led to the invalidation of the 8th August, 2008 do not happen again. All indications are that the election scheduled for 26 October will be worse than the previous one,” said Mr Odinga.
He said the planned election law amendments show that the ruling Jubilee party will use their numbers in parliament to change the constitution.
“On its part, the Jubilee administration’s proposed amendment to the election laws demonstrates that it has no intention of competition on a level playing field. The only election Jubilee administration is interested in is one that it must win, even unlawfully,” he said.
ELECTIONS CANCELLED
The opposition coalition stated that by withdrawing its candidature the October 26 election stands cancelled and that the electoral commission should hold fresh nominations.
“Our withdrawal from the election requires the IEBC to cancel the election and to conduct fresh nominations. The procedure for nomination of presidential candidates is provided for in the Elections Act 2011, Section 13 (1) which states: ‘A political party shall nominate its candidates for an election under this act at least ninety days before a general election under this Act in accordance with its constitution rules,’” said Mr Mudavadi.
This he said will provide adequate time for the commission to prepare a fresh election.