Blow to IEBC as High Court extends Party primaries deadline

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Justice Weldon Korir who extended the primaries deadline PHOTO COURTESY

Malindi,KENYA:The High Court in Malindi on Monday extended the deadline for party primaries to May 1 from the initial April 27 that had been set by the election body IEBC.

This following a petition filled by a lobby group Angaza Empowerment Network challenging the constitution basis on which IEBC came up with the date.

The group, through its lawyer lodged the case Monday morning before Justice Weldon Korir who certified the application as urgent.

While acknowledging it’s the mandate of the election body to set party nominations, the NGO argued the date 27th April set by IEBC as the deadline is unconstitutional and that it breaches the provisions of an Act of Parliament.

The lobby through their lawyer stated that according to the constitution, party nominations are to be conducted at least 90 days to the election meaning the date of the deadline should be May 7, 2017.

Justice Korir while giving the verdict directed the NGO to serve IEBC and Attorney General.

This comes barely a day after IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati had warned parties of delaying their primaries asserting that the election body will not extend the April 27 nominations date.

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