Electoral Commission wants Shs868b to organize 2021 elections
Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda being received by electoral commission Chairman Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama and the commission secretary Sam Rwakoojo to launch the 2020/2021 electoral road map at Hotel Africana. PHOTO BY STEPHEN OTAGE
What you need to know:
- Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda observed that it is very important that the commission is releasing the roadmap early enough to give all the political actors time to mobilize and plan for their resources before the election time.
The Electoral Commission has said it is becoming costly to conduct elections in the new administrative units adding that they need more money and they should be informed about the new units to be created.
Speaking at the launch of the Commission’s Strategic plan and road map to the 2020/2021 general elections, Justice Simon Byabakama, the commission chairperson said the new units have significantly pushed up the cost of the 2020/2021 general elections compared to that of the 2015/2016 general elections.
“The commission appeals to government to consider and approve the creation of new administrative units in a timely manner so that the electoral budget is not destabilized. When this is not done, the impact on our preparations and particularly on voter education is obvious,” he said referring to impact of the new administrative units on their budget as presented by Sam Rwakoojo the commission secretary.
During his opening remarks, the commission secretary said that a strategic plan has been adopted as a project to facilitate sound allocation of resources to enable the commission execute its constitutional mandate.
“The total cost of the general elections including administrative units LCI & II women councils and committees scheduled for 2022, is Shs868.14billion and it excludes the cost of implementing the plan,” which he said includes the wage bill, general finance and administration, capital development and acquisition of assets including the relocation of the commission headquarters.
While launching the plan, Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda observed that it is very important that the commission is releasing the roadmap early enough to give all the political actors time to mobilize and plan for their resources before the election time.
“This is putting things in the open so that the electorates are sensitized, candidates who want to stand have enough time to plan, political parties have time to conduct their primaries in a democratic and transparent manner,” he said.
Asked about the EC concerns on the impact of the new districts on elections, the Prime Minister said government is fully aware about it and they have taken a position of not creating more units unless they respond to genuine political, economic and administrative.
