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Justice Simon Byabakama, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission has told parliament that some of his staff members are under investigations over last month’s Kawempe North byelection.
Appearing on Thursday before Parliament’s Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, Mr Byabakama confirmed to the legislators that some staff members of the Commission had been made to record police statements.
The EC boss was responding to allegations raised by Hon. Medard Lubega Ssegona that the commission staff were “made to record statements over the NRM loss in Kawempe.”
“Indeed some of my staff have been made to make statements,” revealed Justice Byabakama without divulging further details.
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“I am constrained to give my views on something that is under investigation, otherwise, I may say something that impedes the investigations.”
Following the violence-marred election, which was won by the Opposition NUP party, President Museveni announced that investigations were being carried out.
He described the violent acts of security forces as “mistakes’ and further explained the critical role the UPDF has played in maintaining peace in Uganda and in the region in the recent past.
Forced voting
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Meanwhile, during the committee hearing, Justice Byabakama floated a proposal to enact a law that forces all eligible Ugandans to participate in elections to avoid wasting resources that go into election preparations.
He said such laws exist in countries such as Singapore.
“We were Singapore, and we were told that if you don’t vote, you must give a valid reason, otherwise, you will be denied some services,” he said.
“You as MPs can amend the law to make it compulsory. Why should we waste money and yet people don’t show up to vote?”
The Commission says it needs Shs 774Billion to organise next year’s general elections.