IEBC chairman Ahmed Issack Hassan, however, said that the commission expect parties to prepare and submit their nomination lists by January 21.
“We have no intention of extending or shifting the January 18 deadline. It will remain the same since it is cast on stone,” Mr Hassan said.
He spoke to the Nation moments after The National Alliance (TNA) announced it will complete its nominations Friday after failing a logistical nightmare disrupted primaries on Thursday.
“The Commission hereby informs political parties and the public in general that all disputes arising from the party nominations must be lodged, heard and concluded through political parties disputes resolution mechanisms as provided in their respective party constitutions within a period of three days from 19th – 21st January 2013,” said Mr Hassan.
He further explained that any aggrieved contestant may lodge a complaint with the Commission on the January 22 by filling the prescribed form provided for in the Gazetted Elections Rules and Procedures.
“We will submit the lists to the printer together on February 3 and therefore you realize that we do not have time,” Mr Hassan said.
The IEBC boss, however, praised parties for attempting to deliver a proper nomination despite logistical issues that posed a major challenge to the process.
“I cannot say it is a total failure. As an election planner, I know the challenges involved and what I have seen is a good attempt and maybe in future they can improve on it."
He said that parties had enough time to prepare for the primaries and any failure should not be blamed on the commission as it was not playing any role in the exercise.
Over 592 poll observers were distributed around the 290 constituencies to monitor the voting across the country.
“IEBC is only monitoring to ensure compliance. Elections pose a lot of unforeseen operational challenges and we call upon calmness and patience as the parties sort out their logistics,” said a statement from the commission.
Source: Daily Nation
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