MP Jhanda proposes party-list nominees be submitted after election results

In a statement, Jhanda said the proposed changes would allow the outcome of the General Election to first determine the number of party-list seats available to each political party before the respective parties submit their nominees.

"Let Kenyans vote first. Let the electoral outcome determine the allocation of seats. Then let the corresponding party-list nominations follow that outcome," Jhanda said.

Under the current system, party lists for special seats in the National Assembly, Senate and county assemblies are submitted to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission before the General Election.

Article 90 of the Constitution requires each political party participating in a General Election to submit a list of persons who would be nominated if the party were entitled to all the available seats. 

The Elections Act further requires political parties to submit their party lists to IEBC at least 45 days before the General Election.

According to Jhanda, parties ought to participate in the elections and then submit the final party-list nominations after the results are announced to establish the number of seats each party is entitled to. 

He said the proposed system would make party-list nominations more directly connected to the electoral outcome while retaining constitutional requirements on transparency, fairness and proportional representation.

"I believe this is an important issue that deserves serious public and legislative debate," Jhanda said.

 For Jhanda's proposal to be effected, Parliament would need to consider the necessary legislative changes, while ensuring it remains consistent with Article 90 of the Constitution and the wider constitutional framework governing representation.