The establishment of an independent electoral commission for East Africa and a panel of eminent persons to arbitrate electoral disputes are the main issues that emerged from the just-ended first consultative meeting of the region's political parties, held in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
At least 60 political parties, drawn from the East African Community (EAC) member states, attended the meeting.
Government representatives, members of parliament, registrars of political parties, national electoral commission bodies, national human rights commissions, internal security sector and law-enforcement representatives also attended the meeting.
The political parties said there was a need for a lasting solution to the prevalent rejection of election outcomes in the region.
The meeting, whose theme was 'Exploring the role of political parties in EAC integration', recommended the establishment of an East African independent electoral commission, said a communique containing the meeting's recommendations availed to EANA.
The political parties recommended that there was a need to have "homegrown solutions for the arbitration of disputes arising from outcomes of democratic processes," adding that a political parties' regional polls observation forum and a regional political party centre of excellence were additional institutions that, once established, would support the regional electoral body.
"The principal of zero-tolerance to violence should be adopted and political parties in East Africa should embrace more formal party structures with set standards and sanctions against electoral malpractices as a deterrent," the parties resolved.
To bolster commitment to the recommendations, the parties called for the extension of the jurisdiction of the East African Court of Justice (EACJ).
"The jurisdiction of the EACJ should be extended to cover gross violations of human rights, including electoral violence, as well as other crimes against humanity," the communique further said.
Regarding an East African federation, which is the ultimate aim behind the establishment of the EAC, the parties said a regionwide referendum would be necessary to give the political federation process a solid foundation and legitimacy.
"This process should involve public education and awareness up to the grass-roots level," the parties said.
The conference was opened by Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who called on political parties in the bloc to embrace the regional integration process and asked them to make it part and parcel of their party manifestos.
EAC deputy secretary general (in charge of Political Federation) Beatrice Kiraso stressed that political parties were and would continue to be key stakeholders in the integration process and the realization of the Community’s ultimate desire for political federation.
‘’Well functioning political parties are a prerequisite to democracy, and they need to be engaged in exploring alternative policy options," she said in her opening remarks.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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