Political parties have run out of time to append their signatures on the electoral code of conduct.
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati had extended the timeline after the parties asked for more time before they could subscribe to the code.
“The parties are already bound by the code of conduct because that is the law. Since we (IEBC) gazetted the elections date in March 17, the code of conducted came into operation so they are bound by the code whether they sign it or not,” Chebukati said.
Chebukati said the code was for the good management of election and electoral laws and in accordance with the election ACT and that it was not the first time the political parties were doing this.
Meanwhile Jubilee Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju who was also part of the meeting on Wednesday said their party would comply with the law, and other political parties should emulate them.
“This is the law, you may disagree but you must first obey and if you have issues you can go to court. You must first obey and then argue after that,” Tuju said.
Others who were in attendance were KANU Secretary General Nick Salat, ODM’s Agnes Zani and Godfrey Osotsi of the Amani National Congress. Salat said he would sign the document after consulting the party officials.
The code spells out penalties for party leaders, office bearers, members, supporters or agents who contravene its provisions.