By Moses Kyeyune
Opposition members of Parliament have boycotted the vetting of nominees for the new Electoral Commission.
Parliament’s Appointments Committee chaired by the Speaker Rebecca Kadaga is set for the exercise but opposition MPs led by Leader of Opposition Winnie Kiiza say they will not be party to the exercise which she says is an illegality.
Earlier, Democratic Party President Norbert Mao asked opposition members of parliament to stand firm and block the vetting of some of the nominees for the new Electoral Commission.
Following the nomination of six new members, the Democratic Party petitioned the speaker of parliament sighting irregularities in the process.
In the petition, Mao wants the appointment procedure to follow recommendation made by Inter Party Organization for Dialogue, to establish an independent appointments body.
President Yoweri Museveni appointed Court of Appeal Judge Simon Mugenyi Byabakama to replace Dr. Badru Kiggundu who was at the helm of the electoral commission for the last 14 years.
Other nominated commissioners include Hajjat Aisha Lubega (vice chairperson) and Commissioners Peter Emorut, Steven Tashobya, Prof George Piwang and Mustapha Ssebaggala.
The vetting committee is chaired by the speaker Rebacca Kadaga.
