EC hit by lack of funds, activities on standstill

Briefing. The Electoral Commission chairman, Justice Simon Byabakama (left), with his deputy Ms Aisha Lubega, address journalists at the EC offices in Kampala recently. FILE PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • Mr Oboth-Oboth said some of the flag bearers for the different political parties that are supposed to contest in the elections in the six new districts and for the woman MP by-elections in Hoima have been petitioning his committee for solutions. Some of the voters in those districts are in court over the delayed elections.

The Electoral Commission (EC) on December 11 launched a roadmap for the 2021 general elections and according to the plan, some of the activities listed are supposed to be carried out this year.
However, appearing before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee on Friday afternoon to present the policy statement, EC chairman Justice Simon Byabakama said they are facing a funding gap of Shs344.2b.
The EC had requested for Shs445.2b to be used in implementing the roadmap activities in the 2019/20 Financial Year but the Ministry of Finance has provided only for Shs100.9b.

“If this budget shortfall is not addressed, it may adversely affect the smooth conduct of the elections. The roadmap has strict time limits,” Mr Byabakama said.
The EC officials told the committee chaired by West Budama South Member of Parliament Jacob Oboth-Oboth that the House needs to remind the government to fulfil the constitutional requirement as enshrined in Article 66 (1) which provides adequate allocation of resources and facilities to the commission.

Justice Byabakama told the MPs that so far the commission has failed to embark on activities such as; demarcation of electoral areas; re-organisation of polling stations; specialised ICT training; and, preliminary activities, all of which needed Shs16b by the end of last month.
Mr Sam Rwakwojjo, the secretary to the commission, told MPs that they have failed to recruit registrars to serve in the 23 new districts which must prepare for the 2021 elections.
These new staff require a wage bill of Shs3.4b whereas the procurement for their vehicles requires Shs4.8b.

No elections yet
Seven of these districts will be operational at the start of the 2019/20 FY, six are in operation for almost a year now without substantive elected woman MPs and district council chairpersons because of lack of funds.
“It is illegal for the new districts to be without elected leaders because the law provides for 60 days. The case for Hoima District, they were supposed also to hold a by-election within 60 days after their woman MP chose to represent a new district. But, government has not given us money,” Justice Byabakama said.
The six new districts that are yet to elect their leaders are Nabilatuk, Bugweri, Kassanda, Kwania, Kapelebyong and Kikuube while those set to be operationalised next financial year are Obongi, Karenga, Kitagwenda, Madi-Okollo, Rwampara, Kazo and Kalaki.

Mr Oboth-Oboth said some of the flag bearers for the different political parties that are supposed to contest in the elections in the six new districts and for the woman MP by-elections in Hoima have been petitioning his committee for solutions. Some of the voters in those districts are in court over the delayed elections.
“This dilly-dally of no money for conducting elections in new districts must stop. We cannot continue like that. I promise that when the House resumes after Easter, we shall begin with that matter,” he said.

On Besigye’s activities
Kitagwenda County MP Abbas Agaba asked why the EC has looked on at former Presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye continues to move around the country popularising what he calls “Peoples Government” even when was never declared the winner of the 2016 elections.
In response, Justice Byabakama said: “The issue of the parallel government, I cannot talk much about it but it I think it is a matter of the law to find out about its legitimacy,”
Meanwhile, the EC is also looking for Shs72b to secure new headquarters because the current premises will be affected by the planned construction of a flyover road and the Kampala-Jinja Expressway.