The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has denied reports that a section of its members were forced to vote through consensus in the ongoing grassroots elections.
In a statement on Thursday, the party said the reports are only aimed at causing tension from within the party and are not true.
ODM added that its election guidelines are clear and that is what the party has been following to the letter.
“Methods of election are clearly defined in this Handbook… media reports that members were forced to go the consensus way are false, misleading and aimed at causing disharmony in the party,” the party said on X.
In the party’s handbook, elections can be held in at least two different ways including through consensus building and voting by members of delegates.
“Consensus shall include harmonisation of current offices, through the filling of vacant positions; provided that this shall be the electoral method that members of the Party in the applicable county will have agreed upon; and provided that persons being retained in office meet the eligibility criteria.
“If members or delegates of any electoral jurisdiction fail to reach a consensus in the election of their officials; voting by eligible members and delegates shall be conducted through any method, including; the counting of raised hands, through queuing behind candidates ('Mlolongo') and by secret ballot,” the handbook reads.
The clarification came after a section of party grassroots elections were marred with chaos on Thursday.
Two people are fighting for their lives at Yala Subcounty Hospital, in Siaya, after they were injured in a violent confrontation in Gem.
This comes after irate villagers turned against them for allegedly trying to disrupt the Orange Democratic Movement party grassroots elections in the Gem constituency.
The mid-morning incident occurred at Muhanda Primary School in Gem Yala Subcounty where the two were beaten and left to die before good Samaritans took them to the hospital.
It began when agitated villagers spotted strangers in vehicles hovering around Muhanda Primary School which is situated along the Kisumu- Busia highway and on challenging them to identify themselves, they allegedly refused.
