Stagger IEBC bosses' term, says lobby

NAIROBI: Staggering the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials' term could help prevent an election crisis in the event of a run-off, Institute of Education in Democracy Executive Director Brian Weke has advised.

Mr Weke contends that the simultaneous expiry of the term of the current commissioners shall result in a crisis considering that an election is not a one-day event. And with a possibility of run-off and election petitions, the Isaack Hassan led team will not be available to preside over the run off.

"It is important to note that the runoff could be challenged through a petition in the Supreme Court, a process that requires at least 21 days. Besides the presidential election and related processes, election petitions for other positions are required to be filed and determined within six months," he said. The six-year tenure of the IEBC commissioners expires on November 9, 2017, three months after the scheduled date for the next polls.