Parliament has directed the Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister to ensure further extension of the voters register update exercise.
This follows various concerns raised by Members of Parliament over missing names on the register.
MPs including Wafula Ogutu, Abdu Katuntu, Betty Amongi, Roland Mugume and Kasiano Wadri wondered why the commission had abandoned its register for the National ID register which has left many people out.
The MPs have expressed fear that this will deny many eligible voters the opportunity to vote in the forthcoming general elections, demanding that the registration period be further extended.
Hon. Betty Amongi said it is the Electoral Commission supposed to take charge of data relating to the electoral process but it is not.
“What is the fate of those who had their names in the degazzetted register? Their names are not on the register”. Hon. Betty Amongi asked. While Hon Roland Mugume said, “Col Besigye has contested three times as a presidential candidate. His name is not on the list. Where is it?”
Leader of Opposition Mr Wafula Oguttu said many people had not been registered while others had not yet verified their details, hence calling for further extension of the extension.
However the Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Gen. Kahinda Otafire allayed the fears saying there will be a display and any gaps will be addressed then.
He added that every Ugandan was obliged to register for the national IDs.
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanya has tasked the minister Gen. Kahinda Otafire to come up with a comprehensive statement on Thursday next week on the matter and also ensure another extension of the exercise beyond Monday.
The Electoral Commission yesterday announced an extension of the voter register update exercise to Monday next week from today which was the initial deadline.
