Presidential candidates to get sh20m facilitation
Sep 27, 2005
Justice and constitutional affairs minister Dr. Khiddu Makubuya yesterday tabled in Parliament the Presidential Elections Bill 2005 that proposes sh20m and other facilities to each presidential candidate.
By John Odyek and Milton Olupot
Justice and constitutional affairs minister Dr. Khiddu Makubuya yesterday tabled in Parliament the Presidential Elections Bill 2005 that proposes sh20m and other facilities to each presidential candidate.
Makubuya also tabled the Parliamentary Elections Bill 2005 and Local Governments (Amendment) (NO.2) Bill, 2005.
Parliament adjourned to October 10, after presentation of the bills to enable public hearings and allow MPs consult their constituents.
The presidential elections Bill requires candidates to pay a non-refundable fee of sh8m before nomination. Candidates will only be allowed to use two vehicles, each bearing a Police sticker and not carrying more than 10 persons to the nomination centres.
A person is not qualified for elections as a president or an MP if within the seven years before the election he or she has been convicted. It is not clear whether presidential aspirant Al Hajji Nasser Ntege Sebaggala will be affected.
The Bill seeks to cater for presidential elections either under the Movement or multipartyism.
The Parliamentary Elections Bill seeks to regulate parliamentary elections and repeal the Parliamentary Elections Act of 2005. It also seeks to comply with the recent constitutional amendments. It provides for qualifications, campaigning, polling, counting of votes, tallying and declaration of results, election offences, parliamentary constituencies and tenure of office of MPs.
A person who forges academic certificates for nomination commits an offence and is liable to a fine of sh4.8m or 10 years in prison.
Women parliamentary elections shall be by secret ballot and universal adult suffrage.
The Local Government Bill is to repeal the reference to graduated tax, provide for the appointment and discipline by the Public Service Commission of Chief Administrative officers.
Highlights
Presidential elections:
-One ballot box for all candidates at a polling station
-Presidential candidates must be between 35-70 years
-Public officers to resign before nomination.
-National Council for Higher Education to vet qualifications
lSh4.8m fine for forged papers
-Sh8m non-refundable deposit
-Candidates may hold individual campaigns
-Fundraising from hostile governments illegal
-Equal treatment on state-owned media
-No use of government resources
-No voting twice
-No arms within a kilometre of a polling station
-Loudspeakers banned at polling stations
-Results to be declared within 48 hours.
Parliamentary elections:
-A-level minimal education
-Traditional and cultural leaders do not qualify
-Convicts within seven years of election not eligible
-Right of access to state media
-Freedom of expression and access to information during campaigns
-Non-sectarian campaigns
-No use of government resources for campaigns.
-Arms and ammunition prohibited at polling stations
-Nomination fee sh200,000
-National Council for Higher Education to certify qualifications
Local Government Elections:
-One-half of members required for censure vote against executive committee member.
-Government employees required to resign 30 days before nomination
lNo use of local council facilities for elections
Justice and constitutional affairs minister Dr. Khiddu Makubuya yesterday tabled in Parliament the Presidential Elections Bill 2005 that proposes sh20m and other facilities to each presidential candidate.
Makubuya also tabled the Parliamentary Elections Bill 2005 and Local Governments (Amendment) (NO.2) Bill, 2005.
Parliament adjourned to October 10, after presentation of the bills to enable public hearings and allow MPs consult their constituents.
The presidential elections Bill requires candidates to pay a non-refundable fee of sh8m before nomination. Candidates will only be allowed to use two vehicles, each bearing a Police sticker and not carrying more than 10 persons to the nomination centres.
A person is not qualified for elections as a president or an MP if within the seven years before the election he or she has been convicted. It is not clear whether presidential aspirant Al Hajji Nasser Ntege Sebaggala will be affected.
The Bill seeks to cater for presidential elections either under the Movement or multipartyism.
The Parliamentary Elections Bill seeks to regulate parliamentary elections and repeal the Parliamentary Elections Act of 2005. It also seeks to comply with the recent constitutional amendments. It provides for qualifications, campaigning, polling, counting of votes, tallying and declaration of results, election offences, parliamentary constituencies and tenure of office of MPs.
A person who forges academic certificates for nomination commits an offence and is liable to a fine of sh4.8m or 10 years in prison.
Women parliamentary elections shall be by secret ballot and universal adult suffrage.
The Local Government Bill is to repeal the reference to graduated tax, provide for the appointment and discipline by the Public Service Commission of Chief Administrative officers.
Highlights
Presidential elections:
-One ballot box for all candidates at a polling station
-Presidential candidates must be between 35-70 years
-Public officers to resign before nomination.
-National Council for Higher Education to vet qualifications
lSh4.8m fine for forged papers
-Sh8m non-refundable deposit
-Candidates may hold individual campaigns
-Fundraising from hostile governments illegal
-Equal treatment on state-owned media
-No use of government resources
-No voting twice
-No arms within a kilometre of a polling station
-Loudspeakers banned at polling stations
-Results to be declared within 48 hours.
Parliamentary elections:
-A-level minimal education
-Traditional and cultural leaders do not qualify
-Convicts within seven years of election not eligible
-Right of access to state media
-Freedom of expression and access to information during campaigns
-Non-sectarian campaigns
-No use of government resources for campaigns.
-Arms and ammunition prohibited at polling stations
-Nomination fee sh200,000
-National Council for Higher Education to certify qualifications
Local Government Elections:
-One-half of members required for censure vote against executive committee member.
-Government employees required to resign 30 days before nomination
lNo use of local council facilities for elections