The Chairman Electoral Commission (E.C) Eng. Dr. Badru Kiggundu has expressed reservations over a proposal by political parties under the Interparty Platform for Dialogue (IPOD) seeking to have equal representation on the country’s electoral body.
In the proposals in the electoral reforms that were tabled before Parliament last year and recently re-echoed by the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Spokesperson, Ibrahim Semujju Nganda, opposition parties want a more inclusive EC with fair representation of political parties.
In his address to the media on August 15, Semujju advised President Museveni against ignoring the proposals by the Interparty Platform for Dialogue (IPOD) which included; increasing the number of Commissioners of the EC from 7 to 9 who should then serve a seven year nonrenewable term.
IPOD also proposed that the Judicial Service Commission should appoint a select committee which would then identify suitable candidates to constitute the EC after which the President would appoint from those selected. This is similar to the way Judges are appointed.
In addition, the political platform suggested that the process of appointment be more transparent and that representatives from political parties, civil society, professional bodies and the public take part in nominating appointees to head the commission. They also demanded that the names of the nominated candidates be published.
While appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs on Thursday, the EC Chairperson Eng. Kiggundu told journalists that once approved, such a proposal will create a lot of problems in decision making within one of the country’s biggest democratic institution.
“If you bring representatives of each political party to manage elections, you are creating a mini-parliament because there will be discussion on every decision to be taken just like you see the debating for Parliament,” Kiggundu said.
“Decision making by consensus can be foiled up because members have duo masters on taking a decision. They will first need to consult amongst themselves which currently isn’t the case. Here, I only consult my boss,” he added.
He proceeded to tell the Committee; “For the last fourteen years, I have not heard of anyone walking out of a meeting that he’s going to consult so and so. That will be problematic. However, I don’t stand in the way if the legal system embraces it.”
Kiggudu’s term of office along with his Vice and current electoral Commissioners ends in November this year with the exception of only one Commissioner and the Secretary Sam Rwakojo whose tenure ended earlier.