Explained: How the AU Commission polls will be conducted
Explainers
By
Esther Nyambura
| Jan 28, 2025
With just 18 days to go, the African Union is gearing up for a defining moment—the election of the AUC chairperson.
The highly anticipated vote, set for February 15, 2025, has thrown candidates into a last-minute frenzy. Each is striving to leave a lasting impression.
For Kenya, this is more than just a race; it’s a critical opportunity to showcase its influence on the continental stage.
Fronting former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Kenya is banking on his experience and vision to steer Africa’s agenda in a transformative direction.
READ MORE
Trump offers a flicker of hope for Kenya's oil project
State now turns to KAA to fund new airport after Adani fallout
Kenya to seek a new IMF agreement
The dead horse theory: When it's time to dismount for your customer's sake
Mombasa weekly tea auction fetches Sh1.4b for farmers
Dutch business delegation begins a four-day trade mission tour
Cement firm embroiled in 1,400-acre land dispute
How pension regulator's new proposals could boost retirees' take home
Boost for Saccos as cabinet gives nod to inter-lending facility
Illicit trade is harming Kenya's prosperity and competitiveness
To be elected as the AUC chairperson, Odinga must secure at least two-thirds of the votes from the 55-member State through a secret ballot process.
The voting process begins with all the candidates on the ballot and is conducted three times until one candidate gets at least two-thirds of the votes.
If the third ballot remains inconclusive without any candidate garnering the two-thirds majority, the next ballot will be restricted to the two candidates who obtained the highest number of votes.
If neither candidate secures the required majority after three additional ballots, the candidate with fewer votes must withdraw, and the one with the highest vote will proceed.
Should this candidate still fail to obtain two-thirds of the votes, the outgoing chairperson will suspend the election, and the deputy chairperson will assume the chairmanship on an interim basis until new elections are held.
In the event the candidates drop from the race before the election and only one is left, he or she will still require two-thirds majority votes.
Odinga is set to face off with Madagascar’s former Foreign Minister Richard Randriamandrato and Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, his key opponent.
So far he has received endorsements from several leaders with the latest from Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, and Guinea Bissau President Umaro Embalo.
Should he win, Odinga will become the first Kenyan to chair the African Union Commission.