Court Orders IEBC to Include Photos of Presidential Running Mates on Ballot Papers

The High Court has directed Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to include images of presidential and gubernatorial running mates on ballot papers for the August 9th general elections.

Justice Anthony Mrima issued the order on Wednesday pending the hearing and determination of a petition filed by Mugambi Imanyara, a member of the Devolution Empowerment Party.

"Pending the hearing and determination of the petition herein the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission shall include the photograph or images of the persons who were nominated as Deputy Presidents and Deputy Governors in the ballot papers to be used in the August 9 General Elections," read the court documents in part.

While issuing the order, the judge noted that there is ample of time to conform with the directive since IEBC is yet to commence printing ballot papers to be used in the forthcoming elections.

"Since the printing exercise is yet to begin, the respondent can still comply with the order of the court. It is for this reason that the application for stay is declined," the judge noted.

The court directed interested parties to submit their responses on the directive by July 4th, 2022.

In the past elections, IEBC only included photographs of presidential and governorship candidates and their party slogans on the ballot papers. Only the names of presidential and gubernatorial running mates were printed on the ballot papers.