- Voting will be through the secret ballot based on one farmer one vote principle.
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In conducting the poll, the electoral agency will be guided by a manual of elections released by TBK.
Image: TBK
The Independent electoral and boundaries commission (IEBC) is set to manage the upcoming elections for the directors of KTDA in a deal with the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK).
In the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between two agencies, IEBC will supervise the voting process across the seven regions in the country.
It will provide all the requisite voting materials for use during the poll slated for next month.
Over 600, 000 tea farmers from the 54 KTDA-managed factories across the country will participate in the elections.
Voting will be through the secret ballot system based on “one farmer, one vote principle”.
IEBC is mandated by the Constitution under Article 88 (4) to conduct or supervise referenda and elections to any elective body or office established by the Constitution, and any other elections as prescribed by an Act of Parliament.
According to the agreement, IEBC is set to appoint returning officers for each of the factories.
It is also expected to publish a list of qualified candidates including the voter register in all the tea buying centers ahead of the exercise.
In conducting the poll, the electoral agency will be guided by a manual of elections released by TBK.
The notice and timetable for the election, TBK said, will be published and circulated in all the tea buying centers by next week.
“The IEBC shall publish the polling stations within the electoral area in the respective tea factory at least seven days before the date of the elections,” reads a notice from the board.
Each of the factories are conducting the elections based on their memorandums and articles of association in a bid to enhance fairness, the board said.
Among the requirements that applicants are required to submit include Sh10,000 nonrefundable fee, ID card, growers’ slip for 12 months period preceding the date of the election, valid KRA tax compliant certificate and police and EACC clearance certificate.
The applicants shortlisted will be vetted by the electoral body before being cleared.
The names of those successful will be posted on the tea buying centers before the election date.