DP faults government on new constituencies
Democratic Party spokesperson Kenneth Paul Kakande addresses journalists at the party offices yesterday. PHOTO BY RACHEL MABALA
KAMPALA- The Democratic Party (DP) has criticised government plan to create new constituencies ahead of the 2016 general elections without following ‘correct procedures’.'
Addressing journalists at the party headquarters in Kampala yesterday, DP spokesperson, Mr Kenneth Kakande, demanded a transparent process as guided by the Parliamentary Elections Act.
“Which criteria are they using to split these constituencies,” Mr Kakande asked.
He said the government targets to split those constituencies where the Opposition has more support. He said if government motivation was for fairness it would split constituencies which are highly populated so as to extend services closer to the people.
However, the government media centre boss, Mr Ofwono Opondo, said yesterday government is following the law. “They only look at one side yet the constituencies are created for them to contest in,” he said. “The government is following the Constitution but if DP is rejecting the process, they have a right to seek an injunction,’ Mr Opondo said
DP’s remarks come hardly after the Electoral Commission announced it is ready to demarcate 36 new constituencies if Parliament approves them.
Recently, Mr Badru Kiggundu the EC chairman, said the EC is ready to implement any decision endorsed by Parliament in respect to the creation of new constituencies.
The government planned to create at least 36 new constituencies in a move critics say aims to accommodate some unsettled NRM-leaning candidates.
