The Registrar of Political Parties has declined to effect changes to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party constitution saying the changes were non-compliant with the Political Parties Act.
In a letter dated January 17, the Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu referred back the matter to the Raila Odinga-led party for more action.
In a response to party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, the registrar said, “Following a review of the submitted Constitution, we note that the same is non-compliant with Section 9 of the Political Parties Act (PPA), 2011 and the Second Schedule of the Act,”
Among issues raised by the registrar include failure by the party to provide the option of membership details to be contained in the register including identification details, region, ethnicity, disability, gender, and county.
Secondly, the requirement for continuous updating of the membership register was not complied with by the party.
Thirdly the quorum for meetings of the governing body was not specified in the amended constitution as required by the law.
Lastly, the party failed to provide clear rules, procedures, and guidelines for entering into mergers with other parties.
“Kindly review the constitution to provide for the aforementioned matters in our Constitution to enable this Office update your party records appropriately and process the gazette notice,” Nderitu added
The registrar further directed the party to submit crucial documents in line with Section 20(1) of the PPA, 2011 and Regulation 7 and 8 of the Political Parties (Registration) Regulations 2019.
ODM was directed to submit the notice calling for the meeting where the resolution to change the party Constitution was made and certified minutes of the said meeting.
Raila Odinga’s party was also required to submit the signed list of participants of the meeting clearly indicating their designations and duly filled statutory form PP11 on changes of party Constitution.
As the August elections draw near, parties are moving to ensure they are compliant with the law especially on matters of nomination.
