Legislators dismiss EC budget for LC elections

Legislators on the Public service and local government committee of parliament have dismissed a budget that had been presented by the Electoral commission for the organization of the LC1 and 2 in addition to the women councilors' elections at the village level.

While appearing before the committee, the electoral commission officials led by commission boss Eng. Badru Kiggundu have revealed that they require 37 billion shillings to organize these elections.

However, the legislators led  by committee chairperson and Igara West MP Rafeal Magyezi, have noted that this is a lot of money and have recommended that some issue be done away which include the display of voters' registers, workshops and training for polling officials.

Parliament last year made amendments to the local council elections act and allowed voters to line up behind the candidates instead of using secret ballot another issue that MPs have noted was undertaken to decrease on the cost of these elections.

However, Kiggundu has revealed that the cost of these elections and the considerations for changes to the commission's budget for these elections can only be changed if parliament makes more changes to the local council elections act and putting these changes into law.

At the sme meeting state minister for finance David Bahati has also noted that the ministry can only provide the election commission with 7.3 billion shillings to hold these elections.