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{
    "id": 1426667,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1426667/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 369,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Wakili Sigei",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "given time and form quorum? This is why this amendment to the Act has been introduced to make sure we cure that anomaly of members being uncomfortable with quorum of the commission. The expansion of the selection panel from seven to nine members was an amendment that was done by this House barely a year ago. The Schedule of the Act was amended to provide for a membership of seven to the selection panel. The current proposal to amend the selection panel by increasing the membership from seven to nine is to accommodate many election players to be in the selection panel so that we also have representative from all political parties. We have the Political Parties Liaison Committee (PPLC) giving us membership, the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) and the inter religious groups too. The diversity of the membership that will be given to the selection panel will enhance the required expertise knowledge and experience in the team that will be given mandate to conduct the coming elections through the IEBC together with other subsequent elections that will follow. We have been out of commission for a couple of years since the time we concluded the 2022 elections. There are some by-elections which have not been conducted. There are some constituencies that do not have representation. It is a Constitutional edict that every part of Kenya should have representation. The absence of the commission has led to these constituencies and wards going without representation which is something that is against the Constitution of Kenya. Passing this Bill will allow the by-elections to be conducted so that they have their representation because it is their constitutional right. Without the commission, they definitely cannot have their representation. The proposed amendment further provides for the current membership of the selection panel to be protected in that they are entitled to apply and be considered as members of the selection panel. You are aware that immediately the current selection panel was appointed and sworn in, they embarked on advertising for the position of commissioners to the IEBC. They have done certain processes which were technically frozen by the developments that came when the NADCO was set up, starting with the bipartisan team and thereafter the NADCO. This group has also been given an equal opportunity to participate in the application to be members and if they are successful participate in the selection panel for the next team of commissioners to the IEBC. Madam Temporary Speaker, as we debate this Bill, we should be alive to the fact that we need the IEBC. Therefore, we need the selection panel so that this commission is put in place. Without IEBC so many issues will arise including those that I have made reference to. Since the elections cannot be conducted, citizens from the un-represented constituencies are being denied of their rights. Submission of the audit report of an election to Parliament by the IEBC is one of the important roles that the commission will be expected to conduct. The 18 months’ timeline given is very critical because in the process of undertaking audit, the commission will identify mistakes that could have been committed in the course of the election process. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}