EC Needs 800M To Conduct Butaleja By-Election
EC Boss Badru Kigundu
Uganda’s Electoral Commission boss Eng. Badru Kigundu has said the search for departed Butaleja Woman Member of Parliament Cerinah Nebanda’s successor will cost Shs 800 million.
Cerinah Nebanda passed away on December 14 last year at Mukwaya General Clinic in Kampala.
Kigundu said that the Electoral body will spend Shs 561, while 240 million will cater for the minor 6 posts of district councilors. The seats became vacant as a result of the occupants absconding from duty, death and other causes.
“We shall need 561 million to run the exercise, but we also need extra money to cater for other seats,” he said.
When asked about the amount much to be used, he said close to Shs 240 million will be spent.
He mentioned the monetary figures yesterday while addressing a news conference about the program for the By-election of Butaleja District Woman representative whose process will run from January 23 to February 11 the polling day.
Mr. Kiggundu said that today they will hold a consultative meeting with several stakeholders starting 9:00am which will involve MPs, security leaders, religious leaders, opinion leaders and others.
Kiggundu however cautioned the public against holding fundraising activities during the Butaleja By-election process.
“No fundraising activities shall be permitted in Butaleja so as to allow a level playing field for all candidates in the race. Those found to be contravening the law shall be dealt with accordingly,” he said.
Kiggundu said that Butaleja District has a total of 87,641 registered voters and 151 polling stations and an update of the voters’ register will be conducted from 5th to 9th January at stations within each parish in the district starting at 8:00am to 6:00pm on each of the appointed dates including weekends.
“This exercise will enable Ugandan citizens of 18 years and above, who either reside or originate in parishes within the above district and also those who have not had their photographs and bio-data taken before by the EC for purposes of registration for elections to do so,” he added.
The nomination of candidates shall be conducted on Monday 21st and Tuesday 22nd January at designated venues in the district and this will be followed by a period of seven days from 23rd to 29th during which members of the general public will have access to the candidates’ nomination papers, and will be able to lodge complaints if any on the suitability of candidates to contest in the by-elections.
“Campaigns shall be held for a period of 18 days that is from 24th until 9th February and all candidates are urged to observe law and order in this exercise and to conduct their campaign meetings in accordance with the harmonized program and no hate language will be tolerated at all.” Kiggundu said.
The conference was also attended by the deputy IGP Okoth Ochola who warned members against ferrying goons who cause mayhem because Police is determined to counter covertly and overtly any such incident.
Reported By Nicholas Mwesigwa
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The NRM has a record of ferrying what Kiggundu calls goons who cause mayhem this time hope will be extra active to stop this
Indeed at that sort of cost, the national election 2016 will cost 2,400,000 million shillings for 300 members of the Parliament of Uganda minus the Presidential election. And most of the people of Uganda know well who must overwhelmingly win it all. Gaddaffi had the best advice about this sort of cost.