The chairperson of Electoral Commission Justice Simon Byabakama has confirmed that a total of Shs868 billion is required to conduct the 2021 general elections that will take place between 10th January and 8th February 2021.
Speaking at the launch of electoral road map, justice Byabakama said, there is a slight increase in electoral body’s budget by Shs368 billion due to continuous improvement in the electoral process, comprehensive voter education and sensitization of stake holders, inclusion of Supreme Court recommendations, price changes and exchange rate fluctuations.
He said their budget is also alluded to increase in the number of districts from 112 to 141, municipalities 80 from 39, sub counties 2000 from 1398, parishes 9500 from 7431, villages 65200 from 57, 842, polling stations 35,000 from 28, 000, Registered voters 19,400,000 from 15,277,198.
“Presidential nominations will be held in the third week of August in 2020, an updated national voter’s register must be ready by May 2020. LC I and II elections will be held in 2022 after the general elections of 2021,”
He said the Strategic Plan and Roadmap will enable them and various stakeholders in the electoral process to achieve better planning, implementation and activity coordination as well as timely implementation of scheduled electoral activities.
“With this strategy we (Electoral Commission) have launched, we shall endeavor that all eligible citizens willing to vote are registered. We are confident it shall lead us and all stakeholders to be more informed, therefore, any suggestion for a polling activity and good register should come now,” he said.
He also noted that, they have always had challenges brought about by delayed enactment and amendment of electoral laws, inadequate voter education due to under funding and Inadequate training for temporary staff.
“We shall also work at strengthening monitoring and evaluation to know if we on the right track both in the activities being carried out and day to day work,” he said.
Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, commended Electoral Commission for its sound consideration of National and international principles in the preparation of strategic plan.
“The strategic road mark, fulfills the constitutional provisions of conducting regular free and fair elections and demonstrates our commitment to other regional and international protocol which provide for general elections as essential,” he said.
He implored political parties and organisations to organize themselves in accordance with this road map and undertake the necessary preparatory activities so as to lawfully undertake in these elections.