‘Electoral reforms need time’
Dec 09, 2009
ELECTORAL reforms proposed by the opposition cannot be carried out in time for the 2011 polls, the chairman of the Uganda Law Reform Commission, Prof. Joseph Kakooza, has said.
By Andante Okanya and Charles Ariko
ELECTORAL reforms proposed by the opposition cannot be carried out in time for the 2011 polls, the chairman of the Uganda Law Reform Commission, Prof. Joseph Kakooza, has said.
In a paper on electoral laws yesterday, Kakooza said the time left to the 2011 polls was not sufficient to carry out the reforms.
Kakooza’s paper was read by Frank Othembi, the commission’s secretary at the justice, law and order sector donor review meeting at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.
Kakooza said the best solution was to use the current laws to prepare for the 2011 polls.
The opposition recently made demands, including proportional representation at the Electoral Commission (EC) before the 2011 polls.
Peoples Progressive Party president Jaberi Bidandi Ssali proposed that the incumbent President wishing to be a candidate should step aside for the duration of the elections, which Kakooza said was impractical.
Reacting to the paper, Fred Ruhindi, the deputy Attorney General and justice and constitutional affairs minister, said proportional representation at the EC would cause problems.
“It is better to have people of integrity. Proportional representation would stifle the process,†Ruhindi said.
He, however, added that the Government was keen on the reforms, saying they would be presented to Parliament.
ELECTORAL reforms proposed by the opposition cannot be carried out in time for the 2011 polls, the chairman of the Uganda Law Reform Commission, Prof. Joseph Kakooza, has said.
In a paper on electoral laws yesterday, Kakooza said the time left to the 2011 polls was not sufficient to carry out the reforms.
Kakooza’s paper was read by Frank Othembi, the commission’s secretary at the justice, law and order sector donor review meeting at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.
Kakooza said the best solution was to use the current laws to prepare for the 2011 polls.
The opposition recently made demands, including proportional representation at the Electoral Commission (EC) before the 2011 polls.
Peoples Progressive Party president Jaberi Bidandi Ssali proposed that the incumbent President wishing to be a candidate should step aside for the duration of the elections, which Kakooza said was impractical.
Reacting to the paper, Fred Ruhindi, the deputy Attorney General and justice and constitutional affairs minister, said proportional representation at the EC would cause problems.
“It is better to have people of integrity. Proportional representation would stifle the process,†Ruhindi said.
He, however, added that the Government was keen on the reforms, saying they would be presented to Parliament.