SUMMARY KEY ISSUES: ELECTORAL AMENDMENT BILL 2011
Written by Administrator Wednesday, 07 September 2011 09:57
SUMMARY KEY ISSUES: ELECTORAL AMENDMENT BILL 2011
ISSUE 1: VOTER REGISTRATION AND VOTERS’ ROLL
- We want a new voter’ roll-remove deceased and ghost voters and add unregistered voters
- Relax requirements for new voter registration
ISSUE 2: PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
- Release results forth-with and not five days as proposed by the bill
- Run Off dates should be set before the first round of elections
ISSUE 3: VOTER EDUCATION
- Allow civic groups and other players to conduct voter education without hindrance
- The commission should be obliged to carry out voter education programs
ISSUE 4: ACCREDITATION OF ELECTION OBSERVERS
- The Commission should carry out the accreditation process without political interference
- Put in place an expeditious mechanisms for appeal for rejected applicants
ISSUE 5: INDEPENDENCE OF THE COMMISSION
- The Commission must be self-resourced and be in control of its budget
- Commission must report to parliament and not to government ministers
ISSUE 6: POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND INTIMIDATION
- There should be a special Court to urgently deal with issues of political violence
- Put in place mechanisms to avoid selective applicability of the law in dealing with issues of politically motivated violence
ISSUE 7: SECURITY SECTOR (POLICE, ARMY, CIO)
- Police should not interfere with the election process
- Police must submit to the authority of the presiding officer