Pressure mounts on EC to hold local council polls

Political parties and organisations are running frustrated with the Electoral Commission's lack of progress in preparing the country for the local council polls.

After the elections were postponed twice with the most recent being in January 9, the political parties are suspicious that the government is not interested in holding the elections.

“We have not yet been put on notice by the Electoral Commission whether the elections are coming soon or not. We need to know so as we organise our supporters to compete for all these positions," Ms Alice Alaso, the coordinator of the Alliance for National Transformation, said.

Alaso's sentiments are shared by Sadam Gayira, another opposition politician from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

“When you deny political parties a chance to participate in the lower low-level elections especially for parties that are still growing, that is a big blow,” he said.

The Commission needs over Shs50 billion to hold both LC1 and LC2 as well as women council’s elections but the government has stated it has no funds, prompting Local Government minister Rapheal Magyezi to postpone the elections.

But to the angry opposition parties, the government decided to skip these elections.

“They know that most of their members may not make it in case the elections were held. I am not certain this election will ever be conducted,” Gayira added.

The Commission said it was ready to takeoff with the polls but the funds are the constraints even as the 180-day extension given for the local council decision to take place draws nearer.

"We know the government is aware of its obligations,” Mr Julius Mucunguzi, the Commission spokesperson, said.

The 180-day extension runs until early July.