BUHWEJU MP MWIJUKYE SLAMS ELECTORAL REFORMS

By Our Reporter

www.mknewslink.com

In Bushenya

Buhweju county Member of Parliament also commissioner of parliament Hon. Francis Mwijukye has slammed the electoral reforms that were tabled by Attorney General, William Byaruhanga describing the proposals as regressive to Uganda’s democracy and castigated Government for fronting laws out of panic.

Among the key highlights is the barring of cameras and phones from polling areas, while no Political parties shall not to have any links or alliance with any Pressure groups.

The other proposal is barring any candidate to run as independent of a party after participating in a party primary, while an ex-party member can run as independent at least one year after quitting their parties with written proof from the party.

The Government also wants declaration of results made in the presence of five people and upon election as independent, a member shall be free to enter into alliance with any party of his or her choice.

On the other hand, Government is seeking ban to independent presidential candidates from entering alliance with any political party and directive to have all candidates within 14 days after nomination inform the electoral commission, the sources of their funding.

While appearing on a local radio station Crane radio in Ishaka during Orusaniya Rwamazima talk show hosted by Godfrey Kasimbazi, Mwijukye said that said that some of the proposed amendments are intended to restrict the opposition from uniting with other forces of change citing the proposal to bare cameras and phones at polling stations saying this is to ensure no one records evidence of rigging or captures official declaration forms.

He also criticized the move to have Police and Army vote five days before official polling date saying that seeing that majority of soldiers and police officers are now on the side of the people, Government is requiring them to vote five days before everyone else so that they are intimidated properly & their results tampered with, as opposed to voting with everyone else.

However, Ruth Nankabirwa the Government Chief Whip rubbished claims that the bill is intended to cripple the independents arguing that there is more to the bills than independents.

Speaker Rebecca Kadaga referred the Bills to the committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for consideration within 45 days.

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