Government has cleared the air about the electoral reforms that they recently tabled before parliament highlighting the fact that there is so much propaganda and rumors being spread.
Speaking to journalists at the Uganda Media Centre this afternoon, the Attorney General, William Bayaruhanga said that there has been misrepresentation of the electoral reforms that he tabled before parliament last week.
“There have been a number of misrepresentations on the bill arising out of failure to read or comprehend provisions of the bill or there has been a deliberate mission to misinform the public to concoct provisions which are not part of the bill,” Byaruhanga said.
Different leaders and members of the opposition have in the past few days come out against the tabled electoral reforms claiming that they (the opposition) are being attacked, and having a free and fair election close to impossible.
“Surprisingly there is no single provision in the bill which has a direct or indirect expression to early voting by soldiers and other security personnel. Maybe it was discussed but not in bills we presented. There is also no bill talking about prohibition of the use of cameras and cell phones at polling centres,” Byaruhanga said.
Last week, the government tabled proposed electoral reforms to several laws including the Presidential Elections (Amendment) Bill No.17, 2019, the Parliamentary Elections (Amendment) Bill No.18, 2019, the Electoral Commission (Amendment) Bill No. 19, 2019, the Political Parties and Organization (Amendment) Bill No. 20, 2019 and the Local Government’s (Amendment) Bill No.21, 2019 attracting backlash over the intention of the reforms.
“These are facts we say have registered misrepresentation. The ongoing discussion concerning electoral reform bills was factually incorrect,” Byaruhanga added.