LC structures good for fighting crime-EC boss

 

 

 

KAMPALA - The Electoral Commission boss,Justice Simon Byabakama has urged Ugandans to take part in the forthcoming Local Council (LC) elections.

 

While releasing the programme for resumption elections, Byabakama said the structures are very crucial if the country is to end the high crime rate especially the increasing kidnaps and killing in the country.

 

Over 20 kidnapps have been recorded in last fourth months while over 30 women have been gruesomely killed since July last year. 

 

"I am sure once these structures are fully instituted; we shall be able to fight all sorts of crimes in the country. I just urge Ugandans to support the cause and register to vote," she noted.

 

Byabakama was addressing the media at the EC head offices in Kampala.

 

He urged all those willing to vote; to go and register in their respective villages from June 22nd -June 25th.

 

According to the programme; the women council nominations will be conducted from June 27 to June 28 in the newly created 1,134 villages at various parish headquarters where the villages are located while those for LCI chairpersons will be conducted from July 4-5 at parish headquarters.

 

Both campaigns for both women and LCI chairpersons will run for only four days from June 30 - July 2 and July 4 and July 5th. Polling will be on July 3 and July 10 for LC1 chairpersons.

 

He noted that 191, 850 polling officials will be employed. Byabakama revealed that Government revealed the additional funding of sh6.2bn needed to facilitate  the whole exercise.

 

Government first released sh15.9bn and EC used about sh6bn in the previous activities before the programme was suspended in October last year.

 

He said they have agreed with Government to declare the polling day as public holiday to allow all people including the eligible students and public servants to vote.

 

Byakagaba also noted that the mode voting will be lining behind the candidates or their symbols.

 

He said the counting of voters will be done by presiding officers with the help from orderly officers and the polling assistants.

 

He said the candidates' agents will also be available to monitor the counting to ensure transparency.

 

The EC has also released election dates for workers representatives slated for May 29th, Rukungiri Woman MP (May 31st), Special Interest Groups for Butebo and Pallisa (June 22nd), Pallisa Woman MP (June 28th ), Butebo LC5 chairperson (June 28th ), Specuial interest groups in sub counties, municipalities and towns (July 13rd), Mayors in towns and municipalities (July 17th) and MPs for new six municipalities on July 19th.