A recent survey carried out by the Citizen Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU) on the country’s thoughts on lifting the Presidential age limits and head of state appointing electoral commissioners, has revealed that over 77% of the legislators unanimously disagree with lifting of presidential age limits as well as having the president continue appointing electoral commission officials.
Presenting the findings on Monday, Ivan Mwaka a researcher with CCEDU and Dr. Livingstone Sewanyana revealed that 97% of opposition MPs disagree on the lifting of the presidential age limits well as 3% only MPs are in support of the idea. The report also points out that 65% of the NRM MPs don’t support the idea well as 35% are in its support. It adds that another group comprising of independents at 81% support the idea well as 19% of them support.
According to regions, eastern Uganda disagrees with lifting of presidential age limits with 70% MPs from the area being against, 67% MPs from northern, 79% MPs from western and 78% of MPs from central disagreeing with lifting of the presidential age limit.
The report also indicates that 77% of the legislators don’t want the president to continue appointing electoral commission officials saying the process should be made open to the public.
Meanwhile, DP secretary general Hon. Matthias Nsubuga and former MP for Bubulo East Hon Simon Mulongo have called for changes in the current laws that govern the polls commission to give way for the changes desired by Ugandan citizens in the electoral process noting that if the laws are not changed then the issue of the president appointing electoral commission bosses will still stand.
