The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) will determine its candidates for the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) by next February.
According to the NRM Electoral Commission chairman Dr Tanga Odoi, NRM EALA candidates who engage in early campaigning and energy-sapping speculation will be punished.
“We advise all stakeholders to remain calm and avoid speculations because we shall punish whoever gets involved in any form of campaigns before the designed time,” Dr Tanga Odoi said while addressing a press conference at the party EC headquarters on Kyadondo Road.
Dr Tanga Odoi also revealed that party primaries for all elective posts will cost the NRM Shs2 billion, before calling on members to get involved in the mobilization of the lower level elections of LC I, LC II and women councils.
“The party plans to sweep all the forthcoming elections including the residual party primaries and general elections for LC1 and LC 2s and women councils, Dr Tanga Odoi said, adding:
“There will be no academic qualifications for LC 1 elections but one needs to be a Ugandan, resident of that given area and an adult above 18 most preferably 35 years of age.
He however, cautioned party members against being ‘duped’ by the opposition over the system of lining up behind the preferred candidates. “Despite the initial communication from the FDC leaders condemning lining up to vote, they are busy in the villages mobilising people,” he said, adding that the system is backed by the law and would promote transparency.
Dr Tanga Odoi also said that the NRM would hold primaries for parliamentary candidates in the newly-created municipalities of Ibanda, Njeru, Apac, Nebbi, Bugiri, Sheema, and Kotido.
Primaries will also be held for candidates in the newly-created districts of Rubanda, Kagadi, Kakumiro, Kibaale, Omoro and Amudat which, he said, encountered a lot of challenges during the previous elections structure.
