NRM issues guidelines for party primaries

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) electoral commission has issued guidelines to be followed during the party primaries to pick candidates for Member of Parliament slated for September 4 countrywide.

Party electoral commission boss Dr Tanga Odoi said voting will be by lining up behind the candidates' portraits or an agent.

These will be done in strict adherence to standard operating procedures against the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Tanga, the voting exercise is expected to commence at 11:00 am starting with the election of district Woman MPs and thereafter constituency MPs.

"There have been rumours going around that the polling date for party primaries for electing MPs has been changed. I want to clarify that the polling date for MPs remains September 4," Tanga said.

He said before the polling date, there will be a display of the voters register where candidates and the voters will go and verify their particulars, adding that he will communicate the date for voter verification.

Election of LC5 chairpersons and district councillors will be held on September 11, city division councillors and municipal mayors on September 14, LC3s and their councillors on September 18 and election of special interest groups will follow.

Tanga warned candidates some of whom claim to be ‘untouchables' against acts of hooliganism, mudslinging and violence.

He said politics of mudslinging and name tarnishing was also reported in the ongoing campaigns for Sheema MP with the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu, allegedly claiming his rival, Prof. Elijah Mushemeza, had the coronavirus.

CANDIDATE BEATEN TO COMA

In Hoima, campaigns for district Woman MP race have been suspended after a contender, Beatrice Wembabazi, was beaten and is in a coma in Mulago Hospital's intensive care unit.

According to Tanga, the commission is investigating reports that supporters of Harriet Busingye allegedly injured her.

"This kind of politics must stop and the commission warns all candidates to desist from tarnishing the names of fellow contestants. Threatening violence is not allowed.

If you violate the rules, we throw you out of the race," the party's electoral commission boss said, adding that he will take charge of western Uganda polls which is becoming a hotspot of violence.