The Electoral Commission (EC) has appointed 26th April as a polling date for Moroto District woman Member of Parliament by-election.
The seat fell vacant after the demise of incumbent Hon Annie Logiel late last month who passed away in Denmark where she had gone to seek treatment of brain tumour.
She was laid to rest at her ancestral home in Moroto over the weekend.
As mandated by the law EC chairman Justice Simon Byabakama Mugyenyi today addressed the media on the by-election program.
“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 27th February 2017, and therefore, the statutory deadline for holding the by-election is 27th April 2017,” Byabakama said.
Accordingly, the EC has approved the electoral programme for by-election of District Woman Member of Parliament for Moroto District, with the following key activities and dates:
Banning of Fundraising Activities in Moroto District
During this by-election programme, no fundraising activities shall be allowed in Moroto District. 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 20th March 2017, which is the cut-off date for registration of voters and transfer of voting location in Moroto District, and will continue until polling day. Those found to be contravening the law shall be dealt with accordingly.
Stakeholders Meeting: 17th March 2017
The Electoral Commission will hold a stakeholders meeting on Monday 17th March 2017 at Moroto District Headquarters, to discuss any issues of concern that may affect the conduct of the by-election. This meeting will also help to foster collaboration between the Commission and stakeholders in Moroto District, and achieve high participation in the various activities, in accordance with the laws.
The stakeholders who have been invited to the meeting include the district leadership, representatives of political parties and organisations, representatives of civil society organisations, security officials, religious leaders, opinion leaders, sub county supervisors and members of the press.
Update of the National Voters’ Register
Moroto District currently has a total number of 32,229 registered voters and 71 polling stations. An update of the Voters’ Register will be conducted from Thursday 16th – Monday 20th March 2017, at update stations within each of the twenty eight (28) parishes/wards in Moroto District, starting at 8:00am till 6:00pm, on each of the appointed dates, including weekends.
“Campaign meetings shall be held for a period of sixteen (16) days, that is, from Monday 10th April until Tuesday 25th 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,” He said.
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 26th April 2017 at all polling stations in Moroto District, and (polling) shall start at 7:00am and close at 4:00pm.
