The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is from Thursday, June 30, expected to start printing ballot papers for the 2022 elections.
Traditionally, only images of presidential and gubernatorial candidates and their party symbols appeared on the ballot papers.
However, on Thursday, June 29, the High Court ordered the poll agency to include photos of presidential and gubernatorial running mates on ballot papers pending the hearing and determination of the case filed by a city lawyer.
Justice Anthony Mrima stated that the presidential and gubernatorial ballot papers only contain the images of the principal candidates despite the fact that the offices of the said deputies are distinct from those of their counterparts.
“That pending the hearing and determination of the petition herein, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission shall include the photograph or images of the persons who were nominated as Deputy Presidents and Deputy Governors in the ballots to be used in the General Election to be held on August 9, 2022,” Justice Mrima ruled.
In the petition filed by lawyer Mugambi Imanyara, photographs of all candidates who vie for elective seats on a joint ticket play a major role in persuading voters into voting for leaders of their choice.
Imanyara further argued that the exclusion of presidential running mates and deputy governors from the ballot papers violates article 10 on national values and principles of democracy, good governance, accountability, participation, and transparency and is also contrary to Regulation 68(4)(b) of the Elections Regulations 2012.
“Exclusion of both the deputy president’s and the deputy governor’s photos from presidential and gubernatorial ballot papers violates Article 27 on equality and freedom from discrimination,” the lawyer said.
This will be the first time deputies’ images will be on the ballot paper under the Constitution 2010 should the Wafula Chebukati-led commission comply with the orders.
