FDC embarks on rebuilding party structures

Dec 04, 2019

The party Deputy spokesperson, John Kikonyogo said they have commenced planning meetings that will establish teams to oversee elections at the lower levels.

Opposition party, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has boosted efforts in rebuilding and strengthening their party structures prior to the upcoming 2021 elections.

The party Deputy spokesperson, John Kikonyogo said they have commenced planning meetings that will establish teams to oversee elections at the lower levels.

"FDC has embarked on rebuilding party structures. This process is ongoing and our zonal teams are already on the ground in the countryside already planning meeting and establishing teams at lower levels," Kikonyogo said.

Kikonyogo made these statements at the party headquarters yesterday in Najjanankumbi during a press briefing.

"Every after five years, we elect new leaders. This time around the calendars for the Electoral Commission has been brought forward, that is why we have started off earlier too," Kikonyogo explained.

He stated that they are rebuilding their structures faster because they are trying to adjust to the calendars of the Electoral Commission (EC) which has been pushed forward by a few months.

Recently, the EC allocated only 21 days to carry out the voter registration update exercise which was started on October 21. The EC also went ahead and declared that nominations will take place in July/August next year.

Although complaints came in indicating that the 21 days allocated for the update of the voter register is not enough, the EC maintained that they are working on a tight calendar and could not make these adjustments.

Mulekwah Leonard, the Director Operations, EC recently stated that although some people had complained that this time was not enough, they could not push the deadlines.

"After registering, nominations would come in, elections of special interest groups, committees, from villages to national in preparation of elections," Mulekwah said.

Mulekwah made these statements while addressing journalists in Kampala during a media training workshop on conflict-sensitive reporting recently.

The elections of the committees are being overseen by the EC.

The grass-root structures being rebuilt, kikonyogo says have been there but need to be strengthened in order to act competently in the forthcoming elections.

The lower level teams that will be established will be expected to oversee the elections to ensure that there are no malpractices tolerated.

This comes in after the recent loss of Hoima by-elections where one of the major reasons for the loss was attributed to poor ballot guarding by the Opposition.

Kikonyogo, however, said the happenings of the recent Hoima by-elections.

Kikonyogo also mentioned that consultations are being carried out in the ongoing countryside meetings to help them come up with the best decisions in executing their plans as a party.

The party is not only stopping at rebuilding these structures but going ahead to hold a National Council meeting which will be held on 14th and 15th of this month.

Kikonyogo said the major agenda of this meeting will be to discuss pertinent issues concerning the party.

 
 

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