ODM set for grassroots elections

By Peter Ochieng

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has announced a new date for grassroots elections across the country.

The elections were called off due to floods in most parts of the Country, between April and June, 2024. ODM’s grassroots polls will now be held on November 27, 2027 in all the polling stations across the Country.

“The grassroots elections will be conducted on November 27, 2024, in all polling units/centres across the Forty-Seven (47) Counties,” said Emily Awita, the National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) chairperson in a notice dated November 04, 2024.

Officials will be elected based on three categories: Mainstream, Youth League and Women League. Under the Mainstream category, positions on offer shall include the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Organizing Secretary, Treasurer, Women Leader, Youth Leader, and three (3) Committee Members.

On the other hand, in the Women and Youth League categories, positions to be contested shall include Chairperson, Secretary, Organizing Secretary and their deputies, Treasurer, and three (3) Committee Members.

There is no special category for persons with disabilities and minorities, with the party stating that they will be mainstreamed in the three aforementioned categories.

Elections will only be conducted for five hours, from 10am to 2pm. Consensus or show of hands will be used as the modes of elections.

Candidates were urged to read the party’s guidelines for grassroots, available on the party’s website – odm.co.ke.

Ahead of the polls, members can verify their membership details by dialling *483036#. Last week, ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga said the party’s grassroots elections would be conducted in a free and fair manner.

She said the polls would be used as a stepping stone to reclaim the lost ground during the 2022 general elections in most parts of the country, ahead of the 2027 polls.

“We came together to strategize on how to reclaim the ground we ceded in the previous elections. Our focus will be on collaboratively repositioning the Party from the grassroots level, ensuring we are well-prepared for future endeavours.”