Butebo County by-election slated for June 6, says EC

Kampala

The Electoral Commission (EC) has set June 6 as the date for the by-election of Butebo County seat in Pallisa District after it fell vacant following the death of Dr Stephen Oscar Mallinga.

While announcing the programme for the by-election yesterday in Kampala, the chairperson of the EC, Mr Badru Kiggundu, said Parliament had confirmed the vacancy of the seat thus the body evoked its constitutional mandate to organise an election within 60 days.

“We have approved the electoral programme for the by-election of MP Butebo County following the death of Dr Mallinga, the former area MP. The polling will take place on June 6, 2013,” Mr Kiggundu said.
The EC also warned against use of hate language and rescheduling of all fundraising activities to enable a free and fair campaign period.

“This is to allow a levelled ground for all intending candidates. Those found contravening the law shall be dealt with accordingly. Hate language will not be tolerated,” Mr Kiggundu said.

NRM plans
The NRM so far has 10 aspiring candidates with its primary nominations scheduled for tomorrow and Thursday.
Candidates include the widow of the late Dr Mallinga, Ms Beatrice Asire Mallinga, and Dr Patrick Mutono Lodoi.
The ruling party primaries will be held on May 11 while dates between May 13 and 14, have been selected for the general nominations. “Many candidates have shown interest but we shall give the number after nominations,” Mr Elijah Mushemeza, the NRM electoral commission chairman, said.

When contacted, Mr Norbert Mao, the Democratic Party president, said they were still waiting to hear from the Pallisa branch on whether there was any individual who had expressed interest in the parliamentary seat.
“We shall be in position to give details in a day’s time,” Mr Mao said yesterday.

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