Replacing late Nakimuli: EC sets June 24 for Kalangala Woman MP by-election
The Kalangala Woman MP seat fell vacant after Nakimuli, who was a National Unity Platform (NUP) member, died aged 41 on April 19 following a surgical procedure in Kampala.
Electoral Commission chairperson announced the date for the by-election on Friday during a stakeholders meeting held at Kalangala district headquarters. (Credit: Samuel Nkubba)
KALANGALA - The islanders of Kalangala district will go to the polls on June 24 to elect their new woman representative in Parliament following the death of Hellen Nakimuli in April.
Electoral Commission chairperson announced the date for the by-election on Friday during a stakeholders meeting held at Kalangala district headquarters.
Under Ugandan law, the EC has to organise a by-election following the death or resignation of a Member of Parliament.
The Kalangala Woman MP seat fell vacant after Nakimuli, who was a National Unity Platform (NUP) member, died aged 41 on April 19 following a surgical procedure in Kampala.
She had retained the seat in January's parliamentary elections.
In the roadmap introduced to islanders, the update of the national voter’s register will take place on May 11-13, followed by the display of the updated register on May 20-29.
As of the last general elections, Kalangala has a total number of 44,557 voters.
Nomination of candidates will be held on June 10-11, and campaigns on June 12-22.
Voters will descend on the 115 polling stations across the island district on June 24 to elect their new Woman MP. Biometric Voter Verification Kits will be used for voting at all polling centres.
Justice Simon Byabakama with commissioners and electoral commission officials from Kalangala District. (Credit: Samuel Nkuba)
'Politics isn’t a war'
EC boss Byabakama told political parties to hold conduct their respective vetting activities as soon as possible to present a party representative for official nomination.
“All we need is peace during this exercise that has commenced today. Distance yourselves from hate speeches and any action that may cause harm to fellow islanders because politics isn’t a war,” he said.
“Our coming here has not ended. Even on the election day, my commissioners and I will set our base here at the district headquarters to witness the smooth exercise as it will be held on the 24th."
Byabakama said the EC will come up with possible solutions to mitigate delays while transporting the voting materials to distant islands.
His deputy, Hajjat Aisha Lubega, condoled with the family of the late Nakimuli.
She also commended the islanders for maintaining peace in the January elections.
“We appeal to the media, religious leaders, local council leaders to disseminate the right information concerning this by-election so that islanders don’t miss out on electing their legislator," she said.
Fred Badda, the Kalangala resident district commissioner, warned especially the youth against spreading false information on particularly social media platforms.
“We will ensure that we follow up on any person who posts such false news, and the law takes its course."