The Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission, Badru Kiggundu has called on the government to give severe punishment to politicians who use fake papers to contest for public office.
Kiggundu was today speaking during a regional political parties’ consultative meeting for Acholi and Lango regions at Churchill Courts Hotel in Gulu town.
Kiggundu said politicians who present fake academic papers should not be spared because they waste time, money and opportunities for others with proper academic papers.
“Be truthful to your selves. Do not waste time for others. If you know you do not have papers, leave way for others,” Kiggundu said.
The EC boss added that the electoral body has no mandate to verify or authenticate academic papers saying that role is for the National Council for Higher Education.
“According to the Electoral Commission Act, the role of the commission is well stipulated and it is wrong for the public to shift blame on the commission,” he said.
Kiggundu revealed that the electoral body does not have money to conduct elections in constituencies were elections have been annulled by court.
