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Kenya moves to replace controversial electoral commission

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] The Kenyan government on Friday published a bill calling for a constitutional amendment allowing the replacement of the controversial Electoral Commission of Kenya which oversaw the re-election of President Mwai Kibaki in December 2007, leading to massive demonstrations and more than 1,000 deaths. Justice Minister Martha Karua said the country's parliament could pass the bill within a week, laying the groundwork for an interim body of five people to replace the current 22-member commission. The commission has called the claim unconstitutional and is seeking a court order to block such a change. Some 600 employees of the commission who stand to lose their jobs are protesting the move, blaming the 22 commissioners and other higher-ranking officials for problems in the agency. Kenyan protesters alleged fraud and vote-rigging after Kibaki prevailed despite polls that placed rival candidate Raila Odinga in the lead. In March, Kibaki established a panel to investigate the violence that followed the election. Human Rights Watch concluded the violence was planned carefully by leaders on both sides. That commission urged the creation of an international tribunal to try suspected perpetrators of the violence.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on December 06, 2008 (boomark / email).