Press Statement
14th December 2015
Progress of Implementation of the Roadmap for 2016 General Elections
A. Introduction
Our esteemed partners, members of the press, it is my privilege and pleasure to welcome you to this press briefing.
Today, the Electoral Commission would like to update the country on the progress of various ongoing activities under the Roadmap for the 2015-2016 General Elections.
B. Condolence Message on the Death of Hon. Suzan Namaganda, MP
We were deeply saddened by the news of the sudden death of Hon. Suzan Namaganda, Woman Representative to Parliament for Bukomansimbi District, which occurred on 11th December 2015.
The late Hon. Namaganda was also a candidate for the same elective position in the 2016 General Elections.
On behalf of the Electoral Commission, and on my own behalf, I wish to extend heartfelt condolences to the family, the people of Bukomansimbi District, the Parliament of Uganda, all friends and fellow citizens of Uganda, on the bereavement caused by her untimely death.
We join with you all to pray for her soul to rest in eternal peace.
As a result of the death of a nominated candidate, the Electoral Commission has postponed the electoral programme for election of District Woman Member Representative to Parliament for Bukomansimbi District.
We call upon the people of Bukomansimbi District to remain calm, as a new electoral programme will be issued in due course.
C. Condemnation of acts of Violence during Campaign Meetings
The Electoral Commission has noted with concern the images shown in print and electronic media, where supporters of two Presidential candidates clashed during a campaign meeting in Ntungamo District.
The Electoral Commission has asked the Uganda Police Force to investigate this incident and furnish us with their findings.
Even as the Commission waits for the report on this incident, we wish to reiterate our utter condemnation of acts of violence during the electoral process.
We urge candidates to prevail upon their supporters and agents to desist from any actions that may lead to disruption of public order, and to always use peaceful means to express their views.
We further call for a tolerant approach to political debate, so that we have peaceful, free and fair elections.
D. Issuance of Copies of Photo-bearing Voters’ Register to Presidential Candidates
Today, the Electoral Commission, in accordance with Section 18A of the Electoral Commission Act (as amended), will start the exercise of issuing a complete set of the photo-bearing National Voters’ Register, to each of the candidates contesting in the 2016 Presidential Elections.
The National Voters’ Register bears the names of all the 15,277,196 registered voters, arranged alphabetically by surname, at each of the 28,010 polling stations in Uganda.
The purpose of issuing this Voters’ Register is to enable the candidates, through their official agents, to ensure that only eligible persons are allowed to vote during the 2016 General Elections and only at the polling station where they are registered as voters.
Secondly, the issuance of the Register will help to keep the candidates and other stakeholders, including the electorate updated on the status of registered voters and their voting locations.
Please note that the Electoral Commission has already issued soft copies of the National Voters’ Register to the Presidential candidates, as provided for in Section 18A of the Electoral Commission Act Cap 140.
This issuance should therefore, put to rest any concern among stakeholders about the readiness of the National Voters’ Register for the 2016 General Elections.
The Electoral Commission urges candidates to mobilize their supporters who are registered voters, to prepare to vote in the 2016 General Elections.
The Commission has already clarified that this Register, which bears the photographs of the voters, shall be the basis for voting during the 2016 General Elections. All those persons, whose particulars and photographs appear on the Voters’ Register, shall be eligible to vote at the polling station where they are registered, whether they have a National Identity Card or not.
Constituency Voters’ Registers are also available for other political parties/candidates, on application through the Secretary, Electoral Commission, and payment of relevant fees.
I thank you,
For God and my Country,
Eng. Dr. Badru M. Kiggundu
Chairperson, Electoral Commission Uganda
