E.C to Spend Shs 6.7 Bn on Elections in 7 New Municipalities

The Electoral Commission (E.C) has said that the electoral process to elect Members of Parliament and Local Government Councils in the seven newly created Municipalities will cost government Shs 6.7 billion.

This was revealed by the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Justice Simon Byabakama on Tuesday while releasing the roadmap for the elections slated for July to the press.

According to the program, polling will take place on Thursday July 19 at all polling stations in the in the seven Municipalities of Buikwe, Nebbi, Kotido, Sheema, Apac, Ibanda and Bugiri.

Voters will be electing Members of Parliament, District Councillors, District Women Councillora as well as Mayors.

Elections for Special Interest Groups will be held on July 13 at the respective sub-county/town headquarters. Positions to be filled include; male youth councillor, female youth councillor, male councillor for older persons, female councillor for older persons, male councillor for persons with disability and female councillor for persons with disability

At the sub-county and town council levels, voting will take place on July 17 to elect district councillors, district women councillors, town council Chairpersons, sub-county Chairpersons, sub-county councillor and sub-county women councillors.

Justice Byamukama said that the exercise to update the national voters’ register will run from April 26 to 30 to enable eligible voters to check for their details.

The Electoral Commission has also gazetted April 30 as the cut-off date for registration and/or transfer of voting location in the above electoral areas.

The display of the Voters’ Register and issuance of Voting Location Slips will be done on May 7 to 28.

Nomination of candidates shall be conducted for a period of three days, starting June 4 to 6 at the respective district headquarters.

The nomination will be followed by a period of six days starting June 4 to allow the general public access the candidates’ nomination papers, and lodge complaints, if any, on suitability of the candidates to contest in the elections. Campaigning for the nominated candidates will begin June 8 and last 40 days.

“All candidates are urged to observe law and order during this exercise and to conduct their campaign meetings in accordance with the harmonized programme. Hate language will not be tolerated at all,” the E.C Chairman said.

The nomination exercise for elections of councilors representing workers to district councils are set to take place on May 8 and 9 while polling will take place on May 17.