NRM issues guidelines on elections
Kampala/Sembabule
The NRM’s electoral commission yesterday issued guidelines for today’s party primaries, one of which bars polling officials from opening envelopes containing ballot boxes and declaration forms in the absence of at least 10 voters.
The rules also direct presiding officers and polling agents to open the envelopes after 8am. “Even after 8.00am, the polling officials shall not set up the ballot boxes or open the envelopes unless there are at least 10 members of the electorate present,” the guidelines read in part.
NRM EC commissioner Lydia Wanyoto warned against violence and told voters to forward their grievances through petitions. Presiding officers and polling assistants are expected at the polling centres by 7am while candidates’ agents are expected at 7:30am for accreditation and briefing.
Officials transferred
Meanwhile, the NRM electoral commission has transferred three top Sembabule District officials over alleged poll irregularities. The three are the district secretary Emmanuel Ssemirembe, the returning officer, Steven Tandeka and registrar Joseph Ssekimpi.
NRM EC chairperson Felisitus Magomu said the trio have been redeployed to Gomba and Lyantonde districts. They were given their letters during a meeting yesterday by the new district registrar, Salim Salim Kulembeka, amid cheers from Lwemiyaga MP Theodore Ssekikubo and his camp.
Mr Ssekikubo’s camp had petitioned NRM EC that the three officials were biased.
The Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura who chaired the meeting also ordered police to investigate the Ssembabule Deputy Resident District Commissioner, James Ssekabito over allegations of intimidation and poll violence.
Violence ensured on August 2 in Ssembabule District during elections of district party leaders. Mr Ssekikubo accused supporters of Foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa for scuffle.
