UDA grassroot elections kicks off

UDA National Election Board chairman Anthony Mwaura addressing the media on the elections as they kick off today.[ Jenipher Wachie, Standard]

The United Democratic Alliance(UDA) party has begun grassroots elections in five counties to pick party officials.

The elections kicked off as early as 9.00 pm on Friday, April 26  in Nairobi, Busia, Narok, West Pokot, and Homa Bay counties.

The ruling party’s Secretary General Cleophas Malala said the election had started well however were faced with the challenges of the ongoing rains.

“We are excited with the large turnout of voters, the election in the five counties today are fairing well, just having challenges with the rains,” said Malala while overseeing elections in Homabay county.

Malala urged voters to come out and participate in the exercise to help spread the party countrywide.

The SG hailed the voters for keeping peace in the process despite the challenges faced citing the technical hitch experienced in Nairobi stations.

He assured that the National Elections Board was working on restoring the system failure in Nairobi stations urging the voters to exercise patience.

The party embarked on the electronic election to ensure transparency procuring 10,000 gadgets for the exercise.

On Tuesday, the Elections Disputes and Resolution Committee (EDRC) chairperson Joy Mdivo in a statement said that any complaints that may arise from the party grassroots elections must be filed within 48 hours after the close of polling.

"Complaints will be lodged electronically via the email provided on the UDA website that is [e-mail]," she said.

The second phase of the grassroots polls is scheduled to take place on June 22,  in 13 counties and the third phase is to be held on August 10 across 15 counties.