By Keefa Nuwahereza
The Uganda Electoral Commission has postponed nomination dates for various positions ahead of the 2021 elections after being overwhelmed by the big numbers of candidates vying for particular political offices.
While announcing the changes in the schedules for nomination dates, the E.C on Thursday evening wrote on social media thus; “Due to high number of aspirants at nomination centres, and in exercise of powers vested in EC (Sec 50 of EC Act) the Commission has decided to extend the nomination exercise, earlier scheduled to close 01.10.20 for 4 days, i.e from Fri 02 Oct-Mon 05.10.20 inclusive Saturday and Sun Sunday.”
The E.C also revealed that it has postponed nominations for candidates vying for Local Government Council positions.
Alhtough the Commission had earlier on designated the period September 21st, to October 1st for nomination of candidates for Local Government Councils, the same has since been extended as follows;
Nomiantion for District/City Chairperson and District/City Councillors: 2nd-5th October 2020
Municipality/City Division Chairpersons and Municipality/City Division Councillor: 2nd-5th October 2020
Sub-County/ Town Municipal Division and Sub-county/Town Municipal Division Councillors: 2nd-5ht October 2020.
It should be noted that all nominations shall be carried out at the District Headquarters across the country.
Meanwhile, the EC is set to start verification of supporters for nomination of Presidential Candidates to contest in the 2021 General Election.
According to the Commission, Presidential aspirants who attain verified supporters from at least 98 Districts/Cities shall be issued with a Certificate which they will present to the Returning Officer on nomination day.
The
aspiring candidates have also been advised to book time in advance on any of
the gazetted dates, that is, Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd November 2020, in order
to ensure a smooth nomination exercise.
They include five political parties; namely, Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), Ecological Party Uganda (EPU), National Resistance Movement (NRM), National Unity Platform (NUP) and Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP).
The 77 aspiring independent candidates include (9) female aspirants, namely, Amaro Faith, Amolo Pamela, Kabarungi Grace Juliana, Kalembe Nancy Linda, Kataha Janet Komugisha, Katushemererwe Brenda, Kyalya Maureen, Lugudde Katwe Elizabeth and Mirembe Phiona.