Opposition protest Nomination Fee Increment

Leader of Opposition Hon. Wafula Oguttu yesterday afternoon said that the opposition is against the increment of nomination fee for presidential candidates that will go up from Shs8million to Shs20million if parliament heed to government proposals.

The suggestion to increase the nomination fee for presidential candidates came in a pack of amendment proposals of The Presidential Elections (Amendments) Bill, 2015, The Parliamentary Elections (Amendments) Bill, 2015 and The Electoral Commission (Amendments) Bill, 2015 tabled before parliament last week.

Oguttu who was appearing before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee to represent the opposition said that the fee is not a tax but a commitment fee.

“The opposition proposes no increment on the nomination fees for presidential election since it is not a tax but commitment fee,” he said.

On facilitation of candidates, LOP noted that it is already budgeted for and candidates should be given a vehicle and escorts by the Electoral Commission.

Government is proposing that the amount of public money given to presidential aspirants is increased from the current Shs20 million to Shs50 million.

He further proposed that the status quo on time for voting be maintained (at 5:00pm) arguing that 4:00pm would deny many Ugandans time to vote.

Government is proposing to reduce voting time by an hour to give Electoral Commission officials who will be presiding over voting more time to count ballots, tally results, fill the required forms and transmit them to the EC before dark.