Members of Parliament said that this section 39 in the Principal  Act of the Presidential election Act will be difficult for them to approve saying that the section is a cause for suspicion among many Ugandans who are crying for free and fair elections. MPs said that such a section will be considered in the next elections but not under this 9^thparliament, though the same section was advanced in 2003 but also was rejected.

The Electoral commission wanted the legal committee to adopt this section to allow groups like persons in medical institutions, election officers and those in restricted areas to vote at special polling stations since these are busy people.

MPs also rejected a proposal by the Uganda Revenue Authority, through the Electoral commission, that tax clearance certificates are a requirement for someone to contest for national election. Kabula County MP James Kakooza said that the weakness of URA to collect its tax should not be pushed on the electoral commission. The committee also reported that most political parties want the election returning officers at constituency level for quick tallying of results but the chairman electoral commission Badru Kiggundu rejected the request that this will be costly to the commission as also women MPs say that at county level they will be overburdened since they look for votes in many counties.

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MPs who comprised of Abdul Katuntu, Jovah Kamateka and Baka Mugabi said that the proposal for the president to cross the floor freely is unacceptable on the basis that the president supported by a given party or a coalition abandons his or her party and does not face any penalties.

They said that the provision should include the president to lose the seat as MPs if they all cross the floor, for fairness.

Appearing before the committee the NRM Party Deputy Secretary General Richard Twodong and the Party Deputy Treasurer Keneth Omona also asked parliament to amend Article 72 of the Constitution to require a person intending to stand as an independent candidate to be with 1000 signatures of registered voters in constituencies or districts. MPs said this should have applied to political parties since they are funded and independents collect less signatures so as they all have a level ground.

NRM officials also objected to a proposal by former FDC leader Kizza Besigye and Civil Society Organizations calling for extension of the life of parliament and suspension of elections. Richard Todwong said the constitution requires that every after 5 years, elections should be held so that people can vote their new leaders and therefore postponing elections and also extending the term of parliament will be a violation of the constitution. He said that as a party, NRM is very prepared to participate in the upcoming elections and also advised all parties and those who love democracy to ensure that they participate.

Todwong laughed at MPs who are not ready on the ground for elections and insisted that the elections will not be postponed. He said that as a party, it supports a proposal to kick out any members who switches his positions in parliament but however, added that this obligation should also be extended to those in local government like LC5 and Councillors.

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