Nyatanyi presents NEC bill to Parliament

The State minister of Local Government, Christine Nyatanyi, yesterday tabled a bill in parliament seeking to amend the current law governing the National Electoral Commission. Presenting the bill, Nyatanyi said that some modifications are needed to make it possible for the National Electoral Commission fulfil its mandate. She added that the bill will increase the powers of commissioners to follow up and approve proposals of draft budget before they are submitted to relevant authorities. In the bill, the commission’s Executive Secretary’s responsibilities will increase to allow him/her coordinate all branches of the commission to ensure collaboration and complementarities by the staff. “Inviting and chairing of committees made up of heads of departments should be added in the attributes of the Executive Secretary to enable team work and complementarities in the management of the commission,” said Nyatanyi. “Approval by the Council of the Commissioners of the internal rules and regulations of the Commission shall facilitate the coordination of the activities in the Commission and give main orientations to the Executive Secretariat,” reads a concept note of the bill. The functioning of the Commission shall be governed by the provisions of the Draft Law as it shall be complemented by its internal rules and regulations as approved by the Council of Commissioners, added Nyatanyi. Details of the bill will be discussed in the Parliamentary Committee on political affairs. Ends