Speaker of Uganda’s Parliament, Ms Anita Among, on Thursday, directed Members of Parliament (MPs) to report and assist in the arrest of any Electoral Commission officials in their constituencies who are commercializing the voters’ register update exercise by soliciting bribes.
The Speaker’s directive followed a complaint from Nakaseke Central MP, Allan Mayanja Ssebunya, that Electoral Commission officials in his area are demanding payment for electricity before verifying names on the register.
These officials claim the machines they use require electricity, and that the Commission had not paid for it.
“There’s a GISO, who is not only asking for money from the people to stamp on the forms but he also asks them the aspirant they support,” Mayanja said.
Among informed Parliament that the government has already allocated funds for the exercise, and anyone soliciting money is acting illegally and should be arrested.
“During the Prime minister’s time, we will need to hear from you the Prime Minister after you’ve talked to the Chairman of the Electoral Commission,” Among said.
Butambala Woman MP, Aisha Kabanda, and Soroti West Division MP, Ebwalu Jonathan, told the House that even Local Council 1 chairpersons and Gombolola Internal Security Officers (GISOs) are demanding money from people to issue letters required for voter registration updates.
Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, expressed disgust at the reports of irregularities, given that Parliament had approved the necessary funding for the exercise.
The Speaker then directed Prime Minister Robina Nabbanja to discuss the MPs’ complaints with Electoral Commission Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, and report back to the House on Thursday during the Prime Minister’s time regarding the steps taken to resolve the issues.
