ODM party appeals for peace during grassroots elections

Nov 27, 2024 - 12:28

By Peter Ochieng

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party is today conducting grassroots elections across the country, in a bid to build the party from the bottom head of the 2027 polls.

Polling stations opened at 10am, and will be closed at 2pm before winners are announced.

“It is the 27th Day of November 2024. Polling Centres open at 10:00am and close at 2:00pm. Dear Party Members, let us avoid incidents of violence. Let us maintain peace,” stated the party on its official X handle.

ODM members are expected to elect thirty officials, comprising ten mainstream officials, ten youth league officials, and ten women league officials.

According to the party, the mainstream category includes a chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Organizing Secretary, Treasurer, Women Leader, Youth Leader, and three committee members.

Positions for the women and youth league include a chairperson, Secretary, Organizing Secretary, and three committee members each.

Ten leaders will be elected under the mainstream category, 10 under the Women League and 10 more under the Youth League categories.

“In all categories, members must consider Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) and also Persons from marginalized groups,” said the party.

Once election is completed, the party added, the Presiding Officer (PO) shall feed the results in the elections portal and submit the hard copy to the County Returning Officer, for onward transmission to the National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) in Nairobi for approval and recording.

It is the first time since the formation of the party that grassroot elections are happening in the absence of leader, Raila Odinga.

Odinga temporarily stepped down from the position of party leader, as he pursues the post of African Union Commission (AUC) chairman.

Elections will be held in February 2025, with Odinga being among the frontrunners for the seat.

He is battling against three other candidates. Kisumu governor Anyang’ Nyong’o is the interim ODM party leader.