The National Resistance Movement’s Electoral Commission chairperson, Tanga Odoi, has cautioned against violence and electoral malpractice ahead of Tuesday’s internal elections for district chairpersons (LC5) and city mayors, warning that no one will be spared from disciplinary action.
With the NRM set to conduct another critical round of party primaries, Odoi declared the Commission fully prepared to enforce order and accountability.
He issued a stern warning to candidates and registrars across the country, stressing that any attempt to disrupt the process would be met with immediate consequences.
“No one will be spared this time. The Commission is ready, and any attempt to disrupt the process will be met with firm action,” Odoi said from the party’s Electoral Commission headquarters in Kampala.
His statement followed a dramatic confrontation involving Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo, who stormed the Commission offices demanding access to official declaration forms.
Ssekikubo claims he won the primary race against Brig Gen (Rtd) Rwashande but has yet to receive official confirmation from the EC.
A heated exchange between Ssekikubo and NRM EC Commissioner James Kinobe required Odoi’s personal intervention.
“You either wait for the official response or take your grievance to the appropriate forum,” he told the legislator.
Ahead of the elections, Odoi also confirmed the arrest of seven individuals linked to election-related violence and misconduct.
He warned that any registrar found undermining the process or inciting conflict would face similar disciplinary action.
“Most of the issues arise from candidates who want to manipulate the system. We’re ready to deal with them,” he said, attributing the majority of disruptions to bribery attempts and refusal to concede defeat.
Odoi assured party members that all election materials had been dispatched to the relevant districts and that the voting would proceed in line with the party’s established rules.
He confirmed that he remains actively involved in overseeing the entire process.
Meanwhile, several LC5 and mayoral aspirants have vowed to vigilantly protect their votes, drawing lessons from the recent controversial parliamentary primaries.
Political analysts have also renewed calls for the NRM to adopt a more transparent and technology-driven internal voting system.
“It’s time for the NRM to modernize its internal electoral system,” said political commentator Prof. Barigayomwe.