Electoral Commission (EC) chairman Simon Mugyenyi Byabakama this morning addressed the media on the proposed program for the by-election of Kamuli municipality member of parliament.
The seat fell vacant after Court of Appeal kicked out Hon Rehema Tiwuwe Watongola whose academic papers were wanting.
Court ordered for fresh polls.
The vacancy of the Member of Parliament for Kamuli Municipality occurred when the Court of Appeal nullified the election of former MP Hon. Rehema Watongola.
As required by law the statutory deadline for conducting a Parliamentary by-election is sixty (60) days after notification from Clerk to Parliament on the occurrence of the vacancy.
“The Commission received the notice on 17th February 2017, and therefore, the statutory deadline for holding the by-election is 17th April 2017,” Byabakama read the statement at EC head offices in Kampala.
“During this by-election programme, no fundraising activities shall be allowed in Kamuli Municipality. The purpose of this ban is to allow a leveled-ground for all candidates in the race.
For avoidance of doubt, this ban takes effect from Monday 13th March 2017, which is the cut-off date for registration of voters and transfer of voting location in Kamuli Municipality, and will continue until polling day. Those found to be contravening the law shall be dealt with accordingly.”
EC will hold a stakeholders meeting on Friday 10th March 2017 at Kamuli District Headquarters, to discuss any issues of concern that may affect the conduct of the by-election.
The nomination of candidates shall be conducted on Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th March 2017, at the Office of the Returning Officer in Kamuli Municipality.
Campaign meetings shall be held for a period of fifteen (15) days, that is, from Monday 27th March until Monday 10th April 2017.
The campaign meetings or public rallies shall be conducted only within the stipulated time, that is, from 7:00am until 6:00pm on each of the campaign 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.
Polling shall take place on Wednesday 12th April 2017 at all polling stations in Kamuli Municipality, and (polling) shall start at 7:00am and close at 4:00pm. The commission’s secretary Sam Rwakoojo weighed in on chairman’s remarks and announced that the polling process will cost EC shs 219m.