The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has rolled out an online portal for aggrieved candidates to lodge complaints following its grassroots elections conducted across 47 counties on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.
The announcement comes as results from 25 counties have been tallied and uploaded to the party’s election portal.
“We started receiving results from our Presiding Officers from the various polling units across the country last evening. The results are being uploaded on the party election portal.
“So far we have received results from the following counties: Mandera, Mombasa, Lamu, wajir, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Kilifi, Siaya, Homabay, Busia, Kisumu, Taita Taveta, Kirinyaga, Embu, Nyeri, Kiambu, Nyandarua, Bungoma, Bomet, Nakuru, Marsabit, Kwale, West Pokot and Garissa,” ODM said in a press statement on Thursday, November 28, 2024.
ODM’s National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) reported that over 98% of polling units successfully conducted the exercise, which adhered to the party’s constitution and election rules.
However, isolated cases of violence, disruptions, and delays due to heavy rains were noted, prompting the party to extend the deadline for appeals.
Candidates dissatisfied with the results have until Friday, November 29, to file their grievances through the newly launched complaints platform.
Each appeal must be accompanied by a fee of Ksh3,000 to formalize the submission.
“While most polling units conducted their elections smoothly, we recognize that challenges did arise in some areas. We urge candidates with grievances to utilize our online complaints portal to ensure their concerns are addressed in a transparent and structured manner,” Emily Awita, chairperson of the NECC, said.
Voting system
ODM adopted two voting methodologies during the elections: consensus-building among members and candidates or voting by show of hands when consensus failed.
NECC said it is committed to completing the tallying process by the end of Thursday.
Instances of violence and disruptions were reported in a few polling units, raising concerns about the party’s ability to manage grassroots elections inclusively.
ODM has pledged to investigate these incidents and take decisive action against those responsible, regardless of their rank within the party
Heavy rains, particularly in western and coastal regions, also delayed voting in some areas, with polling stations allowed to extend operations until 5 pm to accommodate affected voters.
As ODM awaits results from the remaining counties, the NECC underscored its commitment to addressing grievances in a timely and fair manner.
Awita encouraged members to maintain confidence in the party’s democratic processes.
“The grassroots elections are a cornerstone of our party’s strength, and we are determined to uphold the integrity of this process,” she said.
The ongoing elections come at a critical juncture for ODM as it seeks to consolidate its leadership structure and prepare for upcoming national polls.
With its robust response to disputes and commitment to transparency, the party aims to reinforce its position as one of Kenya’s most influential political movements.
