Amuru ID registration halted

lectoral Commission chairperson Badru Kiggundu (C) addresses Amuru District leaders at the weekend.

PHOTO BY MARTIN ODONG

What you need to know:

Reason. Electoral Commission chairperson Badru Kiggundu stops exercise to allow the body to conduct a parliamentary by-election.

Amuru. The Electoral Commission chairperson, Mr Badru Kiggundu, has halted the national identity card registration exercise in Amuru District to pave way for the updating of the voter’s register ahead of a by-election due next month.
The district parliamentary seat fell vacant early this year when the incumbent, Ms Betty Bigombe, resigned and took up a job at the World Bank.
While meeting various stakeholders at the district headquarters at the weekend, Mr Kiggundu noted that the ID registration exercise will be halted from October 17 to 21 so that eligible voters correct their particulars in the register.
“ID registration will resume on October 22, but again, it will be halted on November 19 to 20 to allow polling activities to be carried out without any interruption,” he said.
Nomination of aspirants will take place from November 3 to 4, while campaigns will start on November 6 and end on November 18. The new MP will be voted in on November 20.
EC commissioner in-charge of northern region Stephen Ongaria said he is optimistic the by-election will be free and fair.
“EC staff should remain neutral and non-partisan during this period to avoid being blamed by the candidates once they fail to make it in final,” Mr Ongaria said.
The district has 112 polling stations.

ABOUT THE POLL
Candidates. In the race are Ms Jane Frances Okilli (NRM), Ms Lucy Akello (FDC), Concy Adoch (DP) and Poline Acan (independent).
Looking back. In the 2011 election, Ms Bigombe (NRM) polled 14,800 votes against independent Jane Frances Okilli who got 7,162 votes.