The Electoral Commission recently allowed People’s Development Party president Dr. Abed Bwanika to collect signatures mandated to call for a referendum on the controversial Constitutional (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2017.
Bwanika, whose seeks that people decide on the amendment and not Members of Parliament alone, told journalist on Saturday that officials from the electoral commission asked him to gather signatures amounting to 1.5 million.
Jotham Taremwa, spokesperson of the electoral commission who confirmed this development then, has during a televised media interview on Monday evoked the illusion that Bwanika’s efforts alone cannot dictate the desired changes unless the Electoral Commission decides in his favor.
“The final word on holding a referendum rests with the electoral body – and not the paper bearing voters’ signatures,” he said.
Chris Obore, Parliament’s Director Communications and Public Affairs revealed yesterday that the Clerk to Parliament Jane Kibirige recieved 13 billion Shillings to cater for consultations on age limit.
“That money was picked from the mandatory emoluments for MPs to first enable them go and do the consultations.” Obore said.
The private member’s bill tabled by Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi, seeks to among others lift the presidential age limit which is currently capped at 75 years.
