Kaloleni Member of Parliament Paul Katana has asked the Office of Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) to immediately look into the issue of members of the public being registered illegally into political parties they don’t consent.
Members of the public have been pointing fingers to ORPP blaming them of illegal party registration with some accusing them of invading their data privacy.
Speaking during ORPP national sensitization summit at Flamingo hotel in Shanzu, Katana argued that illegal registration of people into different parties will deter them from participating in party nominations.
Katana asked ORPP to resolve the matter with immediate effect to ensure that those affected participates in party nominations in April.
“Some of party members illegally registered in to different parties will not be able to participate in the party nominations. We want the ORPP to look in the issue and what action will be taken to parties illegally registering voters into their political parties,” Katana said.
He applauded the new regulation which will ensure that rival political parties do not play hide and seek games at stronger opponents making them lose in the nominations.
Katana highlighted that different parties will use different methods of nominations during party nominations to ensure they have the best candidate for the August general elections.
“Some parties will do an opinion poll and if one candidate seems to be leading by a wider margin, he/she maybe given automatic nomination. Others may use dialogue between candidates whereby they may agree amongst themselves who will bear the party’s flag in the August poll,” Katana noted.
Led by deputy political registrar Ali Abdillahi during the sensitization summit said ORPP has deployed 18 officials to resolve political party’s tribunal disputes that might emerge among political candidates after nominations.
He urged the political parties to be transparent and diplomatic while conducting nominations to avoid any wrangles during the process.
“Initially, there were only 6 members in political party dispute tribunal but now we have added 18 more members who will be able to reach all the regions to solve regional disputes as they emerge,” Abdillahi said.