The Independent Electoral And Boundaries Commission ( Amendment ) Bill, 2023
Status Timeline
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Executive
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Parliamentary Service Commission representation halved
The bill proposes to reduce the Parliamentary Service Commission's allocation of nominees on the Selection Panel from four members (two men and two women) to two members (one man and one woman).
New seat for Public Service Commission
The Public Service Commission will be granted the authority to nominate one person to serve on the seven-member Selection Panel.
Nomination slot for Political Parties Liaison Committee
The Political Parties Liaison Committee, established under section 38 of the Political Parties Act, 2011 (No. 11 of 2011), is allocated one nominee on the Selection Panel to broaden political party representation.
LSK and Inter-religious Council retain current nominations
The Law Society of Kenya maintains its allocation of one nominee, and the Inter-religious Council of Kenya retains its allocation of two nominees on the Selection Panel.
Bill No.
No. 49 of 2022
Gazette No.
Supplement No. 174
Sponsor
Kimani Ichung'wah
Background
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2022, was published on 2nd November, 2022, and is sponsored by Kimani Ichung'wah, Leader of the Majority Party in the National Assembly. The bill seeks to amend the first schedule of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act, 2011 (No. 9 of 2011).
The Selection Panel is tasked with advertising vacancies, shortlisting, interviewing, and recommending candidates to the President for appointment as Chairperson or members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). Under the previous framework, the Parliamentary Service Commission nominated four of the seven panel members, which this bill aims to diversify.
Key Amendments
Restructuring the Selection Panel
The bill deletes sub-paragraph (2) of paragraph 1 of the First Schedule to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act, 2011, and replaces it with a new composition for the seven-member panel:
- Parliamentary Service Commission: 2 nominees (one man and one woman), down from 4.
- Public Service Commission: 1 nominee (new addition).
- Political Parties Liaison Committee: 1 nominee (new addition).
- Law Society of Kenya: 1 nominee (unchanged).
- Inter-religious Council of Kenya: 2 nominees (unchanged).
Financial Implications
According to the Memorandum of Objects and Reasons, the enactment of this Bill will not occasion additional expenditure of public funds.
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Updates will be visible here once they are approved and applied to this bill.