By Aggrey Baba
As the NRM prepares for its internal elections ahead of the August 2025 National Delegates Conference, the party’s electoral commission has firmly ruled out joint campaigns for candidates vying for the Central Executive Committee (CEC) positions.
Dr. Tanga Odoi, chairperson of the party Electoral Commission, underscored the exclusivity and controlled nature of the campaign process for the party’s top organ, the CEC, which is tasked with the strategic guidance and decision-making of the party.
In his words, Odoi daid the joint campaigns for CEC positions are out of the question and indeed ‘laughable’.
“The rules do not provide for open campaigns at this level. All campaigning happens within the National Conference, and candidates must go through a rigorous vetting process,” Odoi said.
This strict approach to the CEC elections contrasts with the party’s recently concluded parliamentary and local council primaries, where joint campaigns were permitted and in some cases welcomed as a means to unite contenders.
However, even in those races, joint campaigns sparked controversy in some regions.
The vetting process, Odoi emphasized, means that nomination alone does not guarantee a place in the final list of candidates.
“Some nominees will be knocked out before the final stage,” he said, highlighting the commission’s role in ensuring only qualified and vetted leaders represent the party at the highest level.
The party has so far nominated 291 candidates for 17 elective CEC positions out of a total 28 posts. These include the party chairperson, two national vice-chairpersons (male and female), six regional vice-chairpersons, and eight league chairpersons.
The remaining CEC positions are non-elective and include key figures such as the secretary general and the national treasurer.
The firm rejection of joint campaigns comes despite calls from some contenders, who petitioned the party, requesting joint campaigns and access to the voters’ register to enhance transparency and fairness.
However, the Electoral Commission maintains that the CEC election process remains tightly controlled to preserve the integrity and seniority of the party’s top leadership.
