Wale says candidates found guilty by courts should be barred from Parliament

CANDIDATES found by the Court to have engaged in corrupt practice through an election petition should be barred from contesting future general elections.

Leader of Opposition Hon Matthew Wale uttered this in Parliament today.

Speaking in Parliament on the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023, Hon Wale said such candidate should be barred from contesting at least another two more elections.

He said the penalty is also too lenient as it only affirms what is already in the law.

Hon Wale said Clause 10 of the Bill clarifies disqualification of a candidate for a by-election if he/she is found by the court to have engaged in corrupt practices through an election petition.

“Such a candidate should be barred. This will send a clear message that we have a zero tolerance for corrupt conduct in elections,” he said.

Hon Wale said currently candidates found to have engaged in corrupt practices cannot contest the by-elections but can do so in the next general election.

However, he said anyone found to engage in election related corrupt practices by the court should not be allowed to enter parliament.

Hon Wale said this would send a strong message on zero tolerance to such practice by candidates.

“It is also a way to clean up Parliament,” he said.

Of course, he said the constitution only has a 6-month sentence rule.

Hon Wale said this rule too must change.

ENDS//