The strategic plan and roadmap needed to deliver a successful 2021general election was revealed Tuesday by Electoral Commission top administrators with Prime Minister Rt Hon Ruhakana Rugunda as chief guest at Hotel Africana in Kampala.
The EC head Justice Simon Byabakama while presenting his speech said the commission is established under article 60 of the 1995 constitution of the country and also mandated under article 61 to among others ensure that regular, free and fair elections and referenda are held.
He reminded the audience that since his regime assumed power at Jinja road based offices, it has successfully conducted 45 parliamentary and local government units and women councils and committee elections.
“I am optimistic that government will be able to find the funds to enable us conduct the remaining elections in the new districts and town councils. The strategic plan and roadmap that we are launching today is in fulfillment of the above mandate,” said Mr. Byabakama.
He added that the strategic plan is a result of extensive research and stakeholder consultations. After the 2016 general elections the commission with support from UNDP conducted post election evaluation workshops across the country with all key stakeholders in the electoral process.
“The stakeholders gave us their own honest assessment on how the electoral process and the conduct of 2016 general elections were done,” said Byabakama adding that his management further conducted its own self assessment by engaging its own staff to give their opinions on the conduct of the last general elections and subsequent elections.
The former Court Judge said in while carrying out an evaluation process of the previous elections, EC identified challenges that include; delayed enactment/amendment of electoral laws, continuous creation of administrative units which brings about increase in costs, inadequate training of temporary election officials as a result of limited funds, inadequate voter education because of insufficient funds, staffing gaps in the organizations which will have an effect on implementing the road and office premises for electoral commission.
Mr. Byabakama reminded the chief guest Hon Rugunda that the cost of the next general elections has shot up because of then factors which had earlier been explained by the Secretary Sam Rwakoojo.
Mr. Rwakoojo who is the accounting officer of the organization said the process will cost shs 864 billion, a figure quite higher as compared to the previous election of 2016.
Prime Minister Rugunda assured the officials that government is willing to fund the budget for as long as the coffers can suffice.
He however, challenged EC on transparency and fairness in its quest for organizing a successful election process.
