Mixed reactions by aspirants as K’Ogalo publish requirements for polls
Mixed reactions yesterday met the electoral code published ahead of the much-awaited Gor Mahia elections slated for August 8, campaigns.
The Electoral Board that was appointed late last year has come up with rules and guidelines and published a list of registered members eligible to vote in the forthcoming virtual elections.
So far, there has been a flurry of opinions across the divide from both contestants and club fans with recent developments especially in regard to club financial management and invitation of more partners to build the brand.
However, the election guidelines have not been welcomed by all as some aspirants feel the strict requirements are meant to block them from leadership positions.
Outspoken Organising Secretary Judith Anyango popularly known as ‘Nyangi’ termed some of the requirements as prohibitive and unreasonable as they were aimed at locking out other contestants.
Nyangi who faces stiff competition for the treasurer’s position from club insiders Dolfina Odhiambo and Bernard Lusi, rubbished the demand by the Executive Committee that all positions on offer required a candidate to have at least a degree certificate.
“Gor Mahia is a community club and the degree qualifications demands for one to be cleared for elections sounds like a joke.
Qualifications can only be asked for people who want to be employed by the club like the CEO and Finance Manager.
We do not need all these qualifications. The initial requirement was that contestants should have at least a Diploma which I have of course,” stated Nyangi who is seen as anti-establishment and leading the call for incumbent club chairman Ambrose Rachier to step aside.
There is a sense of concern amongst a section of members and supporters of the club over what they dubbed the club’s inability to run effectively due to what they perceive as individual interests superseding the call to serve.
As such, there have been calls that the code streamline rules and ensure there is openness.
A critic of the system in place demanding checks and balances, Jared Nyanjom has called for proper scrutiny of candidates prior to the next elections to ensure that only people with integrity reach the ballot box.
He said: “Online voting systems need to be tried and tested before the voting day.
There need for running a demo with few selected aspirants to show basically how results will be relayed. Nothing can be taken at face value or ignored at all.”
However, businessman Sam Ochola who is eyeing the Secretary General post is confident that with all assurances and criteria set out by the Election Board, there should be no major concerns.
“The rules are clear and precise and all the contestants need is to comply with demands.
So as it is we know when the notice shall be given and how to prepare and what documents to present to the office in charge of running the elections.”
