Progressive
Future Alliance (PFA) Proposed Election and Nomination Rules
The
Progressive Future Alliance (PFA) aims to establish fair, transparent, and
democratic election and nomination rules that uphold the principles of
inclusivity, integrity, and accountability. These rules shall apply to all
internal elections and nominations within the party, ensuring that members are
democratically selected to represent the party at various levels.
1. General Principles
1.1
Transparency: All election and nomination processes
shall be open, transparent, and fair to all members.
1.2
Inclusivity: The PFA encourages the active
participation of all members, with a commitment to gender equality, youth
involvement, and the representation of marginalized groups.
1.3
Integrity: Every process must uphold high standards of
integrity, prohibiting any form of bribery, intimidation, or interference.
1.4
Accountability: The Election and Nomination Board shall
be accountable to the National Executive Committee (NEC), which shall oversee
the fair execution of the rules.
2. Election and Nomination Board
2.1
Composition: The Election and Nomination Board shall
consist of five members appointed by the National Executive Committee (NEC),
including a chairperson and a secretary.
2.2
Responsibilities:
- Oversee all election and nomination
processes within the party.
- Ensure all candidates meet eligibility
criteria.
- Establish and enforce rules for campaigns,
including expenditure limits and timelines.
- Resolve any disputes arising during the
election or nomination process.
3. Election and Nomination Process for Party Officials
3.1 Eligibility Criteria
-
Candidates must be active members of the PFA for at least two years and be in
good standing with the party.
-
They must meet all legal requirements as set by the Political Parties Act of
Kenya and the PFA Constitution.
3.2 Nomination for National Officials
- The nomination process for national
officials shall be carried out through a transparent selection or competitive
election process overseen by the Election and Nomination Board.
- Nominations for positions such as Party
Leader, Deputy Party Leader, Secretary-General, and Treasurer shall require the
endorsement of at least 10% of delegates from each county to proceed.
3.3 Voting Procedure
- Voting shall be conducted through secret
ballots or secure digital voting platforms to maintain voter privacy and
integrity.
- Each delegate at the National Congress
shall have one vote for each position.
- A simple majority vote shall be sufficient
to elect a candidate. In cases of a tie, a run-off election will be held.
3.4 Term of Office
- Elected officials shall serve a term of
five years, after which they may seek re-election if they meet eligibility
criteria.
4. Election Process for Party
Representatives (County and Constituency Levels)
4.1
Eligibility Criteria:
- Candidates must be registered members of
the PFA in the county or constituency they wish to represent.
- They should demonstrate active involvement
in party activities and have a clean public record.
4.2
Nomination Process:
- Party representatives at county and
constituency levels shall be nominated through a primary election or consensus
where possible.
- All nominations must be vetted and
approved by the Election and Nomination Board.
4.3
Voting and Decision-Making:
- Voting shall be by secret ballot.
- A simple majority shall be required to
win. If no candidate achieves a majority, a run-off shall be held between the
top two candidates.
4.4
Term and Limitations:
- Representatives at the county and
constituency levels shall serve a three-year term, with the possibility of
re-election for only two consecutive terms.
5. Nomination for External Electoral
Positions
5.1
Selection Criteria:
- Candidates must be active PFA members in
good standing with a proven track record of leadership and commitment to the
party’s philosophy and values.
- The Election and Nomination Board shall
evaluate candidates’ qualifications, community support, and past performance.
5.2
Nomination Procedure for Public Office:
- For national offices (e.g., Presidential,
Senate, and Parliamentary), nominations shall require endorsement from the
National Congress.
- For county offices, such as Governor or
Member of County Assembly (MCA), the nomination shall be ratified at the
respective County Congress.
5.3
Primary Elections:
- Where multiple candidates seek nomination
for the same position, primary elections shall be conducted under the
supervision of the Election and Nomination Board.
- Voting shall be by secret ballot, with all party members within the electoral area eligible to vote.
6. Campaign Rules
6.1
Campaign Period:
- Campaigns shall commence 30 days before
the scheduled date for internal elections or primaries and conclude 24 hours
before the voting day.
6.2
Expenditure Limits:
- All candidates must adhere to expenditure
limits as set by the Election and Nomination Board. Any candidate exceeding
these limits will face disqualification.
6.3
Code of Conduct:
- Candidates are expected to conduct their
campaigns ethically, refraining from personal attacks, hate speech, or divisive
rhetoric.
- The use of party resources for personal
campaign activities is strictly prohibited.
7. Dispute Resolution
7.1
Internal Dispute Resolution:
- Any disputes related to the election or
nomination process shall be addressed first by the Election and Nomination
Board.
- If not resolved, disputes may be escalated
to the National Executive Committee (NEC) for final adjudication.
7.2
Appeals:
- Candidates or members who feel aggrieved
by a decision may appeal in writing to the NEC within 10 days of the decision.
- The NEC’s decision on appeals shall be
final.
8. Code of Ethics for Candidates
8.1
Integrity and Honesty:
- Candidates are expected to maintain high
standards of integrity and honesty, avoiding any behavior that may damage the
party’s reputation.
8.2
Respect for Opponents:
- Candidates shall respect their opponents
and their supporters, conducting campaigns in a manner that promotes unity and
respects diversity.
8.3
Transparency in Campaign Funding:
- Candidates must declare all campaign
donations and expenditures, submitting a report to the Election and Nomination
Board within two weeks of the election or nomination process.
9. Monitoring and Evaluation
9.1
Independent Observers:
- The PFA shall allow independent observers
to oversee elections to ensure transparency and credibility.
9.2
Post-Election Review:
- The Election and Nomination Board shall
conduct a post-election review to identify areas for improvement and ensure
accountability.
10. Enforcement and Amendments
10.1
Enforcement:
- The Election and Nomination Board shall be
responsible for enforcing these rules, with the NEC providing oversight.
10.2
Amendments:
- These rules may be amended by a two-thirds
majority vote of the National Congress, provided members are given at least 30
days’ notice before any proposed amendments are debated.
This comprehensive framework is designed to ensure that the PFA’s elections and nominations are democratic, fair, and transparent, embodying the party’s commitment to integrity, inclusivity, and accountability.