EC to unveil new roadmap for LCI election as soon as money hits accounts
May 19, 2018
“EC has received a letter from the minister to that effect and we are just waiting for finance to finalise with the formalities to get the funds and kick off with the exercise,” Bukenya said.
ROAD-MAP
KAMPALA - A day after assuring the anticipating public that the Minister of Finance had instructed officials at the ministry to release the addition funding for LCI and LCII elections, the Electoral Commission (EC) has spoke out on the campaign programme.
EC deputy spokesperson, Paul Bukenya on Friday told New Vision that as soon as the finance officials release the funds on their accounts, the campaign activities will begin with EC issuing an official roadmap.
"EC has received a letter from the minister to that effect and we are just waiting for finance to finalise with the formalities to get the funds and kick off with the exercise," Bukenya said.
He, however, declined to reveal the likely dates of issuing the roadmap, arguing that they are subject to funds reaching the EC accounts.
Previously, EC issued several roadmaps for conducting LC1 and LCII elections only to be extended indefinitely after failing to receive funding from government.
The parliament budget committee vice-chairman, Mudimi Wamakuyu broke the news of the finance minister, Matia Kasaija ordering the release of funds for the LCI elections early this week
He said the EC chairman had told him that they had received assurance of the funds to organise LCI and LCII elections. "We therefore expect them to soon release the programme for the elections," Wamakuyu told fellow legislators.
Parliament had recently directed the ministry to release the additional sh7b EC needed to organise the elections. Uganda last held LCI elections in 2001.
Last year on August 24, the Electoral Commission released a programme for conducting LCI and LCII and women councils. However, on November 13, some citizens secured court orders stopping the elections, a day before the polling date for village women councils and committees elections.