{UAH} NRM ready for 2016 elections
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2:43 PM |
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Statement from the NRM Spokesperson Hon . Karooro Okurut.
Ladies and gentlemen, members of the press, there has been talk around
the country to the effect that there is an agenda by the NRM party to
postpone the 2016 general elections.
It is further alleged that this is because as government we don't have
enough money to run the elections and the alleged need to make the
electoral reforms.
Foremost, I want to categorically state that this initiative is by
some members of parliament and we the NRM party are not behind it and
do not support it.
The core principle of NRM right from the bush times was to restore
democracy and give Ugandans the right to determine who should lead
them through regular free and fair elections.
I want to state that the elections will go on as scheduled.
As NRM and as a party that is in charge of government affairs since
1986 we have always funded our elections with and without the support
of the donors.
If you can recall the number one point in our 10 point programme is to
promote democracy. The NRM has pursued this principle since 1986
through regular free and fair elections. Therefore, there is no way we
can renege on this cardinal role that has enfranchised Ugandans and
popularized the NRM.
The talk that since the donors have withdrawn support as government we
cannot fund the elections is farfetched. We have been funding our
elections 100% since 2001. The donors have been funding civil society
organisations.
However, what I can state is that we cannot stop some members of
parliament to have their own opinions like the one of extending
elections.
NRM is the majority in parliament and we shall use our numerical
strength to defeat that motion in the event it surfaces. Besides, the
MPs alone have no mandate to make such a constitutional amendment to
be able to postpone the election. Our constitution is clear about
postponing an election. Elections can only be postponed when a country
is at war and the leadership has declared a state of emergency. There
is none of the above now or in the foreseeable future. Therefore ,
elections will go on as scheduled.
Article 77, subsection( 4), states that, "Where there exists a state
of war or a state of emergency which would prevent a normal general
election from being held, Parliament may, by resolution supported by
not less than two-thirds of all members of Parliament, extend the life
of Parliament for a period not exceeding six months at a time".
Finally, let me retaliate my earlier submission that no amount of
arm-twisting will make NRM listen to any proposal of postponing
elections , not even for a day. As the ruling party we know that
government has saved enough money to carry out all the elections both
national and local.
Hon Mary Karooro Okurut ,
NRM spokesperson and Minister of Gender and Social Development.
--
UAH forum is devoted to matters of interest to Ugandans. Individuals are responsible for whatever they post on this forum.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com or Abbey Semuwemba at: abbeysemuwemba@gmail.com.
Ladies and gentlemen, members of the press, there has been talk around
the country to the effect that there is an agenda by the NRM party to
postpone the 2016 general elections.
It is further alleged that this is because as government we don't have
enough money to run the elections and the alleged need to make the
electoral reforms.
Foremost, I want to categorically state that this initiative is by
some members of parliament and we the NRM party are not behind it and
do not support it.
The core principle of NRM right from the bush times was to restore
democracy and give Ugandans the right to determine who should lead
them through regular free and fair elections.
I want to state that the elections will go on as scheduled.
As NRM and as a party that is in charge of government affairs since
1986 we have always funded our elections with and without the support
of the donors.
If you can recall the number one point in our 10 point programme is to
promote democracy. The NRM has pursued this principle since 1986
through regular free and fair elections. Therefore, there is no way we
can renege on this cardinal role that has enfranchised Ugandans and
popularized the NRM.
The talk that since the donors have withdrawn support as government we
cannot fund the elections is farfetched. We have been funding our
elections 100% since 2001. The donors have been funding civil society
organisations.
However, what I can state is that we cannot stop some members of
parliament to have their own opinions like the one of extending
elections.
NRM is the majority in parliament and we shall use our numerical
strength to defeat that motion in the event it surfaces. Besides, the
MPs alone have no mandate to make such a constitutional amendment to
be able to postpone the election. Our constitution is clear about
postponing an election. Elections can only be postponed when a country
is at war and the leadership has declared a state of emergency. There
is none of the above now or in the foreseeable future. Therefore ,
elections will go on as scheduled.
Article 77, subsection( 4), states that, "Where there exists a state
of war or a state of emergency which would prevent a normal general
election from being held, Parliament may, by resolution supported by
not less than two-thirds of all members of Parliament, extend the life
of Parliament for a period not exceeding six months at a time".
Finally, let me retaliate my earlier submission that no amount of
arm-twisting will make NRM listen to any proposal of postponing
elections , not even for a day. As the ruling party we know that
government has saved enough money to carry out all the elections both
national and local.
Hon Mary Karooro Okurut ,
NRM spokesperson and Minister of Gender and Social Development.
--
UAH forum is devoted to matters of interest to Ugandans. Individuals are responsible for whatever they post on this forum.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com or Abbey Semuwemba at: abbeysemuwemba@gmail.com.
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