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{
    "id": 687706,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/687706/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 471,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "August 24, 2016 SENATE DEBATES 72 Sen. Ndiema",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I also would like to thank the Committee and its leadership for having dedicated itself to work and delivered its Report in good time. The IEBC, according to the Constitution, is supposed to be independent. Therefore, whatever we do or say, we must make sure that any Commission in place or in future, is guaranteed independence. I do not know whether the Commission that will be formed will feel secure and independent. This is especially since the allegations that were put forward against the incumbent commission, have not been proved beyond any reasonable doubt. However, the Commission has to vacate office. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, you will excuse those who think that the pressure for these commissioners to go had more than just the malpractices. Other things have come to bear in terms of each person wants his or her own referee. It may even be proper but perhaps this country may consider having a commission for each and every election. They should not be continuous. Perhaps that will cure the misuse that may be there. However, be that as it may, the commission which is comprised of individuals will never be effective unless we look at the systems. Let us not look at the individuals so much but the systems. The weakest link in our electoral system is not in the commission or the commissioners. We should have looked at the secretariat as well. Beyond that, in our electoral system, the weakest link today is the party nomination process. We should form an independent Select Committee, first of all to look at the nomination processes where there is massive abuse and corruption that cause candidates to party-hop. They do not just hop for nothing. There is unfairness. This House should press for a Select Committee to look at nomination process so that we weed out malpractices in nomination. Unless we do that, we shall have elections which are not free and fair. On that note, until we sort out the nomination process, we should not limit candidates from deciding and enjoying their freedom of association guaranteed in the Constitution. After nomination, if you feel you have not been taken care of properly, you should be free. It is guaranteed in the Constitution; one can move to their party of choice. As we speak, I have been a victim of rigging in a nomination process. There was supposed to be a nomination but no nomination ever took place and a certificate was issued to somebody."
}