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{
    "id": 927996,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/927996/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 153,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kiminini, FORD-K",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr.) Chris Wamalwa",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1889,
        "legal_name": "Chrisantus Wamalwa Wakhungu",
        "slug": "chrisantus-wamalwa-wakhungu"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I rise to support the Independent Electoral and Boundaries (Amendment) (No.3) Bill. As you had clearly put it, Article 88 of the Constitution is clear in terms of the core business of the IEBC, that is, to conduct elections, referendum, and continuously register voters. I listened carefully about the selection panel. We know that the current Chairperson of IEBC and the current commissioners came to office through a selection panel. Unfortunately, the selection panel, upon the appointment of IEBC Commissioners, got dissolved. I am happy to note that in the current proposal, the selection panel will stay forever, so that in case of a situation of a vacancy arising, that selection panel will be available to conduct interviews. The IEBC is an important body. It cannot be a walk in walk out institution. It is not a toilet. We are aware that some of the IEBC Commissioners who were there walked out of IEBC, then four months down the line they came back with their handbags as if IEBC is a toilet. That cannot be entertained. If you do not report to duty, you must be replaced. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission plays an important role as far as elections are concerned and representing the sovereignty of the people. How I wish that IEBC appointments were based on the Inter-Parties Parliamentary Group (IPPG) model that was there before. If the National Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) will have a referendum, these are some of the things that some of us will propose. That, IEBC should go the IPPG way as it was initially. When it comes to the general election, the big players are the political parties. It is important for the political parties to be given a position when it comes to nominating these commissioners. I know there is the issue of the Parliamentary Service Commission that is supposed to nominate four of them. I wish we had clarified this. It might bring confusion and abuse. We have talked about the issue of gender, that we must have two males and two females. In this Parliament, we have the Majority and the Minority side. So, Hon. Speaker, my humble submission is – because you are the Chairperson of the PSC – of the four, you clarify in terms of The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposes only. Acertified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}