The Electoral Commission (EC) has temporarily stopped preparations for by-election of Tororo district chairperson after the stakeholders meeting turned violent.
EC deputy chairperson Hajjat Aisha Lubega Basajjanaku in a statement released on Tuesday told this website that the Commission accordingly informs all the people of Tororo District, Political Parties and Organizations and the General Public that the electoral process in Tororo District for the by-election of the District Chairperson has been temporarily put on hold.
“The Electoral Commission rolled out the electoral programme for the conduct of the by-election of the District Chairperson, Tororo District Local Government on the 3rd May, 2017 with a Stakeholders’ Meeting. During the meeting, the leadership of Tororo County requested the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission for a meeting in their area,” she said.
On 19th May EC held a meeting with the leadership of Tororo County as per their invitation following the roll out of the by-election programme.
“The purpose of the meeting was to update the leadership on the by-election programme and appeal to them to cooperate, maintain law and order during this process.
As the meeting progressed it became obvious that the Commission could not proceed with the meeting as tempers rose and demonstrations started,” Lubega added.
The meeting was discontinued.
“Therefore, as provided under Section 12 (1) (e), (f) and Section 50 of the Electoral Commission Act (Cap 140) as amended, the Commission hereby temporarily puts on hold, the electoral process for the by-election of the District Chairperson Tororo District Local Government until such a time when the conditions are conducive for the electoral process to continue,” he statements reads in part.
Adding that on 20th May EC staff who were carrying out the training of the officials for display of the voters’ register exercise in Mella Sub-county were attacked and Commission property damaged in the process rendering the Voters’ Register Display exercise difficult to continue.