EU observers want youth, army, and workers out of Parliament

The European Union election observation mission that monitored the February 18 presidential and parliamentary elections has launched its report, where they call for over 30 electoral reform recommendations, including a call for the scrapping of the representation of some special interest groups such as army, youth and workers representation in parliament.

"These groups do not suffer discrimination or require specific assistance. The reserved seats for People with Disabilities (PWDs) be elected by universal suffrage and not through a collegiate system. The Women reserved seats be aligned with administrative division of districts and municipalities to guarantee equality of votes," the EU observers recommend.

Speaking to journalists this afternoon at Protea Hotel, Eduard Kukan, the chief observer,  also called for the Public order Management Act to be repealed.

"Thus, the European Union Election Observation Mission calls to repeal the provision providing for the police's right to disperse meetings, and to amend the Public Order Management  so that it is unequivocally clear that only a notification to the police is sufficient to hold a public meeting," Kukan said.

The European Union observation mission believes that if Ugandan stakeholders consider these recommendations, the electoral framework of the country would improve.

According to the report, the observers recommend that: "Establish an inclusive and transparent selection, appointment and removal mechanism for the EC commissioners and key executives at the central, regional and district levels. The EC's integrity be further strengthened by engaging civil society in the selection process and subjecting proposed candidates to public scrutiny."

, Eduard Kukan, the chief observer addresses journalists at Protea Hotel, Kampala

Constitutional amendments

The other constitutional amendments that the EU observer have proposed, include, the amendment of the Constitution to remove the degree requirement for parliamentary candidates and the repealing of the provisions of the law that requires parliamentary candidates to resign from public offices not later than 90 days before nomination.

The EU observers argue that the above requirements for MPs to compete for office violate the right for someone to stand for parliamentary political office in the country.

The 41-page report further notes that the EC should be empowered to deal with non-compliance with campaign regulations and that an equal state subsidy for both presidential and parliamentary candidates must be introduced to ensure a level playing field during the campaign period.

The establishment of clear and detailed provisions for collection and tallying of results and the call for a comprehensive and effective implementation mechanism that grants equal and equitable coverage of the presidential and parliamentary candidates in the media are the other recommendations that the EU observer mission wants Ugandan stakeholders to implement.

"Steps be taken to clearly differentiate the state from the ruling party in an electoral context. An effective sanctioning mechanism against the misuse of state resources, including administrative and security apparatus, during the elections period be established with active involvement of the EC in the process," the report states.

To curb corruption, the observers recommend that all transactions to and from political parties and candidates be only done by bank transfers.