RICHARD OLWENYI
The Electoral Commission yesterday launched the 2020/2021 general election road map in which the commission expects spend over Shs 800 billion to conduct polls and carry out other election related activities.
Simon Byabakama, the chairman of the commission attributed increment in cost to the newly created districts, constituencies and villages after 2016 elections.
Byabakama said the implementation of the new road map will start on May 07, 2019 with demarcation of constituencies.
On July 30, 2019, EC will handle complaints arising from the demarcation while on November 21, 2019 there will be an update of the voters’ register.
Gazetting of polling stations shall be done by January 2020.
“We have learnt from our past experience. We considered views from both international and local election observers to come up with a more favourable roadmap that we have launched today," Byabakama said.
The Prime Minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, who officiated at the launch in Kampala said, the new roadmap proves Uganda is committed to promote a constitutional requirement of holding a free and fair elections.
However some political parties expressed reservations about the road map.
NRM’s electoral commission chief, Dr. Tanga Odoi, said the time left for any electoral reforms is very limited.
Abed Bwanika a former presidential contestant said the new road map offers nothing new.
"It’s does not address past mistakes of the Electoral Commission as per the court ruling," Bwanika said.
Crispin Kaheru, the coordinator, Citizen Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU) believes it’s not necessary to hold an election at exorbitant rate of Shs 868.14 billion using the excuse of new districts.
