Here’s What You Should Do To Recall Your Member of Parliament

If you wish to recall an MP, that window has opened today as they have been in power for the required 2 years.

Process of recalling an MP

Sections 45 and 46 of the Elections Act require the petitioner to collect signatures from at least 30 per cent of registered voters in the constituency.

The signatures must include at least 15 per cent of the voters in each of at least half of the wards in the constituency.

The voter then submits the collected signatures to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

The signatures must be accompanied by a list specifying the grounds upon which the petitioner wants the MP sent home, evidence supporting the claims and a statutory declaration satisfying the signatures.

Next, IEBC will verify the signatures and the validity of the petition.

If the Commission finds that the petition meets the threshold, it will notify the MP who will then have an opportunity to respond to the allegations.

IEBC will then notify the Speaker of Parliament within 15 day

Recall election

The Commission will then hold a recall election within 90 days of the verification of the petition.

The MP will lose their seat if a simple majority of the electorate votes in the recall election to remove them from office.

However, the election can only be valid if at least 50 per cent of the registered voters in the affected constituency vote for recall.

IEBC will then organise a by-election to replace the MP if the recall survives.

The MP is free to participate in the ensuing by-election.