Clerics demand speedy electoral reforms
Publish Date: Dec 17, 2014
CHRISTIAN religious leaders have asked government to speed up the process of amending electoral laws to introduce the necessary reforms that will deliver free and fair elections in 2016.
The Joint Christian Council (UJCC), in its Christmas message, noted that time is running out for the implementation of the electoral reforms demanded by Ugandans ahead of the 2016 elections.
With one year before Ugandans go to the polls to elect a new president, Mps and local government leaders for another five-year-term, the clerics, in a message read by the Anglican Church archbishop, Stanley Ntagali noted that delays in the enactment of the electoral reforms is detrimental to the Electoral Commission’s (EC) road map.
The government called for proposals for amendments to the constitution and electoral laws from Ugandans last month. The opposition parties have submitted their proposals to the Uganda law reform commission.
Some of the electoral and constitutional amendments the opposition want include; disbanding the current EC and replacing it with an independent one, representation on EC, restoration of presidential terms and reduction of the powers of the president.
Some of the key reforms that ought to be implemented swiftly, according to the clerics, include the changing EC’s composition, appointment of individuals from various political parties as commissioners on the electoral body and “leveling” of the political playground.
Ntagali read the message at the Church of Uganda provincial headquarters at Namirembe, a Kampala suburb.