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

That’s according to Opposition leader Matthew Wale when speaking in parliament today on the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023.

“Such candidate should be barred from contesting at least another two more elections,” Wale stated.

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

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.

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.

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. 

Wale said this rule too must change.