ODM is suing IEBC through their lawyer Anthony ‘Wakili’ Oluoch (who is also vying for the Mathare Constituency come 2017) for its recent directive on the use of campaign funds in the 2017 general elections.
They argue that the Election Campaign Financing Act, 2013 that came into force on December 7 is likely to affect many of its candidates.
IEBC officially stated that they had set up limits for political parties in IEBC Act 2011 and the ECF 2013 and also political parties are at liberty to receive not more than Ksk. 15.3 billion in contribution with a single source limited to Ksh. 3 billion alone. The expenditure is to be eshausted between February 8th and August 8th, 2017 when the next general elections will be held.
Presidential candidates are limited to spending Ksh. 5.25 billion while other candidates including governors, senators and woman representatives can use up to Ksh. 433 million.
MPs can spend upto Ksh. 33.4 million while MCAs can spend upto Ksh. 10.3 million on their campaign.
The opposition party says if the court does not intervene, their rights to fair competition will be violated. The matter came up before Justice Rosyline Aburili who directed Oluoch to file the suit papers to IEBC immediately.
Political parties and/or candidates flouting these regulations will be liable to a fine not exceeding Sh2 million or a prison term not exceeding five years or both but ODM says these regulations should be quashed on the grounds that IEBC does not have legal authority to enforce them.
They want the court to restrain IEBC from enforcing the measures, sadying they were made for an illegal, improper motive and extraneous reasons.
As reported on the the-star.co.ke
