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{
    "id": 334505,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/334505/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 360,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Kimunya",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Transport",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 174,
        "legal_name": "Amos Muhinga Kimunya",
        "slug": "amos-kimunya"
    },
    "content": " Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, the essence of the matter we are discussing here is the amendment to Section 29. If there are consequential amendments that are required within the framework of the Committee - which I believe Mr. Ruto is a Member - the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee of this House - all those issues will be brought in so that we can be told what to amend. As of now, let us look at the merits and demerits of this amendment. That is what we are debating in this House. I can see that this amendment has merit because the Constitution is very clear; nobody should be denied the opportunity to elect a leader of their choice. Immediately you leave it to the Registrar of Political Parties which is an office in transition - this is not even an office that has been established by now - to determine who can nominate and who cannot be nominated, you will find a situation where thousands of candidates will be locked out because the leaders of the political parties will be the ones to determine which forms to submit, which names to submit to the Registrar of Political Parties and which ones should be left in the office. That is a reality. So, let us look beyond this and congratulate hon. Midiwo for bringing this amendment. It can only help to widen the space, the participation and there cannot be any mischief that can be practiced in one party with the exclusion of the others. It cuts across. In terms of the identity cards, there may be concerns about fake papers being presented. However, the amendment is very clear. Anyone who has attained the age of 18 and has already been provided with a provisional identification card is someone who has already registered but has not received his or her identity card. Why do you want to deny that person who is over 18 and has a right by the Constitution to vote, the opportunity to vote? Is it just because someone else could forge a passport? If somebody can forge a passport and be registered, then that person has already forged because one can submit a passport as a document for registration. Therefore, let us be open-minded. Let us accept the reality we are in; that we are late in terms of the BVR kits. So, this is not just about presenting an identity card but presenting oneself. It is also about being subjected to the biometrics and photography. It is not just about fake papers moving. I support."
}