The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has today 14 December 2016 filed a suit challenging the new Campaign Finance Act that requires all parties and candidates to disclose their account details and campaign teams.
The suit was filed Wednesday morning by the party’s lawyer Anthony Oluoch who argues that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has no legal mandate to publish election campaign guidelines.
According to Oluoch, the commission has published the rules on its website and further submitted them to the Parliamentary Committee on Delegated Legislation on December 7, 2016, purporting to enforce the Campaign Finance Act meant to regulate campaign financing.
ODM argues that IEBC’s decision is unfair, discriminatory and arbitrary.
Oluoch blasted the action by the commission terming them oppressive, punitive and an abuse of power in which the court will be asked to halt.
“The decision is actuated by malice and extraneous consideration other than the administration of justice,” the lawyer says.
“If the decision is not quashed by the court and it allowed to be enforced, it will lock out many candidates who have expressed intention to vie for the position of MP, Senate, Members of County Assembly using the ODM ticket,” Oluoch adds.