Electoral Commission Secures Funds for Village, Women's League Elections; Roadmap Due Next Week

Justice Simon Byabakama, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), has confirmed that the organization has received the required funding to proceed with village Local Council (LC) and women’s league elections.

Speaking in Kikuube District during a by-election event, Byabakama stated that the Ministry of Finance has released the funds, enabling the EC to move forward with the preparations for these crucial grassroots polls.

“The issue has always been funding. I can confirm that the Ministry of Finance has released the funds needed to conduct these elections,” Byabakama remarked, reassuring the public that the commission had been ready to conduct the elections but awaited financial clearance.

He further indicated that the EC will formally communicate with the nation early next week, providing a detailed roadmap for the elections. “On Monday, we shall address the nation through the media on how these elections will be conducted and the entire roadmap,” he added.

Byabakama also addressed concerns about preliminary voter register compilations by some local leaders. He clarified that the EC would not utilize these locally prepared lists, emphasizing that an independent voter registration process would be undertaken by the commission itself. “We shall conduct our own registration exercise, and this will be communicated.”

Urging for decorum and peaceful conduct, the EC chairperson cautioned against hate speech and divisive rhetoric during the electioneering period, highlighting the importance of maintaining civility among community members who live together.

The upcoming release of the roadmap signifies a significant step towards resuming electoral processes at the village level, which have been pending for several years.

Source: Nile Post