The Electoral Commission (EC) in Kitagwenda District has halted the nomination of Africano Arinaitwe, an independent candidate vying for the Kitagwenda County Member of Parliament seat, after he failed to present proof of resignation from public service.
Arinaitwe, who currently serves as an Assistant Education Officer and teacher at Kamwenge Senior Secondary School in Kamwenge District, arrived at the EC offices on Wednesday to present his credentials for verification.
However, EC officials turned him away, demanding a confirmation letter from the Ministry of Education or the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) verifying his resignation from public service.
Francis Kagoro, the Kitagwenda District Election Administrator, confirmed that Arinaitwe had not provided the required documentation.
“Mr Arinaitwe did not present any document proving that he had resigned from public service. He only claimed that he had already done so,” Kagoro told the Nile Post.
“We have asked him to return to the Chief Administrative Officer and obtain a confirmation letter before he can be considered for nomination.”
According to electoral laws, any person employed in public service must resign before seeking elective political office. Failure to do so automatically disqualifies the candidate from nomination.
Despite the setback, Arinaitwe expressed optimism that he would fulfill the requirement in time.
“I have already resigned from my position, and I am only waiting for the confirmation letter. I am confident that I will be nominated before the exercise closes,” he said.
The nomination exercise for parliamentary candidates continues across the country as aspirants race to meet all the legal and administrative requirements before the Electoral Commission’s deadline.