EC, parties discuss LC by elections
THE Electoral Commission yesterday held a meeting with leaders of political parties to discuss the up-coming local council by elections.
By Anthony Bugembe
and Ruth Nabukenya
THE Electoral Commission yesterday held a meeting with leaders of political parties to discuss the up-coming local council by elections.
A total of 1,468 vacancies in 79 districts are to be filled. The vacancies arise out of failed nominations in 2006, resignations, deaths and the creation of new town councils and sub-counties.
Dr. Jenny Okello, the acting chairperson of the commission, yesterday said it was impossible to hold the village (LC1) and parish (LC2) elections because there were no enabling laws, especially for the women and youth.
She said nominations would be on April 7 and 8, while March 20 would be the deadline for registration of voters, and the transfer of voters from one polling station to another.
Okello said the elections would be free and fair.
“We shall establish a polling day query desk in every district. Parties and independent candidates should send representatives to enhance transparency,†she said.
Steven Okwaimungu, the national coordinator for the Forum for Integrity in Leadership, accused commission officials of rigging.
“We have no guarantee for free and fair elections because some officials who participated in the rigging of previous elections are still there,†he said.
Okwaimungu also wondered why the commission could not wait for the 2011 general elections to fill the vacant positions. He said the byelections were a “waste of tax-payer’s moneyâ€.
The commission secretary, Sam Rwakoojo, warned party leaders against accusing officials of rigging without evidence.
Rwakoojo added: “There are areas that have not had representation since 2006 yet it is their constitutional right.â€
Eric Sakwa of the Uganda People’s Congress decried the lack of fairness in accessing public broadcasters during campaigns.
Commissioner Joseph Biribonwa advised them to report such cases to the commission.
“You can resort to the private media,†he advised.
Forum for Democratic Change secretary general Alice Alaso asked the commission to clearly explain the demarcation of electoral areas to facilitate identification of candidates and also avail a list of vacancies.
However, Alaso said if agents were identified in advance, they would be intimidated.
NRM’s Israel Kayonde appealed to the opposition to stop falsely accusing the party of rigging elections.
“We cannot rig because we enjoy overwhelming support,†he said.
and Ruth Nabukenya
THE Electoral Commission yesterday held a meeting with leaders of political parties to discuss the up-coming local council by elections.
A total of 1,468 vacancies in 79 districts are to be filled. The vacancies arise out of failed nominations in 2006, resignations, deaths and the creation of new town councils and sub-counties.
Dr. Jenny Okello, the acting chairperson of the commission, yesterday said it was impossible to hold the village (LC1) and parish (LC2) elections because there were no enabling laws, especially for the women and youth.
She said nominations would be on April 7 and 8, while March 20 would be the deadline for registration of voters, and the transfer of voters from one polling station to another.
Okello said the elections would be free and fair.
“We shall establish a polling day query desk in every district. Parties and independent candidates should send representatives to enhance transparency,†she said.
Steven Okwaimungu, the national coordinator for the Forum for Integrity in Leadership, accused commission officials of rigging.
“We have no guarantee for free and fair elections because some officials who participated in the rigging of previous elections are still there,†he said.
Okwaimungu also wondered why the commission could not wait for the 2011 general elections to fill the vacant positions. He said the byelections were a “waste of tax-payer’s moneyâ€.
The commission secretary, Sam Rwakoojo, warned party leaders against accusing officials of rigging without evidence.
Rwakoojo added: “There are areas that have not had representation since 2006 yet it is their constitutional right.â€
Eric Sakwa of the Uganda People’s Congress decried the lack of fairness in accessing public broadcasters during campaigns.
Commissioner Joseph Biribonwa advised them to report such cases to the commission.
“You can resort to the private media,†he advised.
Forum for Democratic Change secretary general Alice Alaso asked the commission to clearly explain the demarcation of electoral areas to facilitate identification of candidates and also avail a list of vacancies.
However, Alaso said if agents were identified in advance, they would be intimidated.
NRM’s Israel Kayonde appealed to the opposition to stop falsely accusing the party of rigging elections.
“We cannot rig because we enjoy overwhelming support,†he said.